i.
is this the life you wanted for me?
is this what you had in mind
when you left me behind
on a cold stone step
like something out of a shirley temple movie?
did you think i would forgive you—
did you think that i would forget?
when you left me behind
did you miss the warmth of my
body against your chest?
or was getting rid of me
no tougher task than
taking out the trash?
(was i the trash?)
ii.
do you miss me?
mother, do you miss me?
have i ever crossed the back of your mind
since the night you gave me away?
am i still your demon baby
or have you given up on those
stupid superstitions?
do you remember me,
mother?
do you remember the one you gave up or
have you filled my absence in your life
with replacement children?
(do you remember me at all?)
iii.
i don't miss you,
mother.
i don't miss you and i think it's funny
that i'm calling you mother in this
poem
when i'm sure you've never once
called for me.
i've had three names.
did you know that?
do you even care?
(i know nothing about you,
mother.
do you know anything about me?)
