Mother

  Disarming smile, slender arms, and toothpick legs.
All aerobics and coffee.
Uncompromising plans go well with your emotionless fix . . .
Another promotion?
Let’s celebrate with diet cupcakes.
“Hold the icing.”
Liberation keeps you free
except from me.
But I am different.
I speak when told to suppress my feelings.
I wear my heart on my sleeve
and my ears are pierced with
too much silver.
My dreams collide
with your own
but although I’m not a shoe-in for society,
I do hope to be just like you.

  By Marisa Torrieri