Runner-Up 2

Three different sized soccer balls drawn on a piece of wrinkled torn paper.

Mom is so popular

with her Al-Anon friends.

Every night is Ladies’ Night

for a lady with her looks,

and ”going out dancing”

is her new favorite sport.

She dates

while I babysit with

bitterness,

giving rides to soccer practice while

Mom plays the field.

Sweet sixteen, my ass.

I’m living in the shadow

of a thirty-four-year-old divorcée.

Best years of my life, like hell.

Everything’s bullshit.

I wouldn’t mind having

one of those ordinary-looking mothers

without lives of their own,

who live for their daughters

instead of borrowing their clothes.