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This writing was accepted for publication in the 108 page perfect-bound ISSN#/ISBN# issue/book “the End of the World” cc&d, v279 (the January 2018 issue) Order this as a 6"x9" paperback book:  |
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Were I an only child
Alexandria Simmons
Would my parents care more?
My sister and I take turns:
Love-bombs or trouble, Treasure and trash.
“Devil spawn”, “sweetheart”;
“My dear” “Bitch”.
But if there were only one, would it be different?
I feel sorry for my sister.
I couldn’t take her with me,
and she’ll never forgive my leaving.
She’s a sophomore in high school.
Struggling for friendship, searching for love.
I used to be that lost. Sometimes I still stumble about.
But I got out, away, here, wherever “here” is.
And someday, soon I hope, she will too.
But Mother and Father, they need us:
Outlets for their vanity, pride, and anger.
Mother and Father, they carry only so much heart,
And the burden of them both,
Beating lumps, dark and cracked as charred coal,
is shared between us two.
Mine is frayed, resembling the end of a worn shoelace.
While my sister’s softly drums, hidden and well guarded.
In the human heart evil is endless, unhidden,
And the pinpoint of light,
pricked in the dark,
Limited.
I love my sister. But my need for her is a betrayal.
For if I had the full blunt, enduring alone, I would have
Red leaking from my arm, not black sharpie
Sinking in.
