• You were born
    With fire
    In your lungs
    With life
    In your eyes.
    Plunged
    Extinguished
    Your first breath
    Inhaling water
    In that cracked tub
    Tomorrow
    It will wash dirt
    Off boys.
    Your arms
    Fetal
    Stiff
    Cradling numb knees.
    You were disposed
    Slime-covered Alien
    Bloody
    In that rusted bucket
    Tomorrow
    It will feed the pigs
    Tonight
    A hiding place.
    You will rot
    Outside that barn
    The one that reeks
    of manure.
    Near the back
    Huddled
    Shamed
    Hanging your head.
    Your shallow skin
    Swells
    Festers
    Tomorrow
    The boy who lives
    Down the road
    Will complain
    Of your stench
    On his way to school.
    Tonight
    That emaciated dog
    Will sniff the air
    Find you
    Maul your flesh
    With starving teeth
    Rip your skin
    In ribbons
    Tomorrow
    Its owner
    Will rub its belly.
    Tonight your blood
    Drys
    On its muzzle.
    Tonight
    You were born
    A girl.