2013 Junior Authors Poetry Contest Winner Category 2
Alesha Butler, Age 17, Maryland, USA
Playing House
this probably isn’t the roleplay you had in mind
but
i’ll be my mom
with
tacky lipstick dropping
too small hearts into
other people’s baskets
since
no one ever dropped any into mine
and
squeezing into too big skirts
trying to cover up in mock bashfulness
thought i’ll bare myself later
in other people’s homes
since
i never had one of my own
i love you enough
to realize you’re awful
so
you’ll be my dad
and
hold so tight
you leave bruises
that we’ll both wish i was being
metaphorical
when i said that
it hurts when you love me
because you’re too rough
slow down slow down
we’re still young
until we’re not
and we hate each other
but for now
you’ll keep leaving bruises
and i’ll keep giving myself away
for you
so
our kids can do this one day too
but
this probably isn’t the roleplay you had in mind
*
My parent’s divorce led to a hard time for me and made me rethink how I view relationships. I try to convey that feeling through my poem. – Alesha
I am blown away. This is so touching.
Good job, Alesha.