Garden Girl

I have been punishing myself again.

two weeks in a row.

you say it's fine,

you don't need me to be a garden,

but the whole world wants me to be a garden.

they want me to have ivy hair

& rose-bud lips.

they want root legs & for the

wandering to wither.


I am withered.

I am where dead things come to rest.


there is nothing left

of nurturing in my belly.


this is fine, but you do not think it is fine.

I have been punishing myself again,

thinking of your subtle punishing.


I think of ten years from now.

I think of resentment & how

we will let it slide into our bed.


I think of letting you go,

so you can find a garden girl.

some garden girl to give

you everything you deserve.