what do you call a girl
when she’s useful? when she’s
holding your coat & your ego
& the lock to your leaky heart;
do you say thank you, or mine?

i have worn possession like a
glass collar, been choked by
trophy mouths, had the hair
brushed from my face, so careful
it hurt, a doll hungered & deviant

i bloomed for men like a trick
of light, drank their love like
communion, a terrarium girl, all
sharp elbows & apologies, fleeing
before my face became a need

they looked at me like i was their
future, anxious hearts straining seams,
danger mounting before the flood.
i do not regret who i gave myself to
only that they tried to keep me