Josh told me his sister had just learned he was dating another boy half his age, and she was pissed. He tried to laugh it off, but all I could think was, “Another?” and for the first time wondered how many predecessors I had.

I wore lipstick that day.
Some on my cheek.

When I had him, my placenta was dry.
I went through a lot right before he was born.
My mom and I are at my brother’s basketball
game. My brother wasn’t the best player,

I think it may be a swan
standing yellow-
legged in our backyard pond.

You are driving from now on
to the place beyond the maps
where there are no paths

In the moment I turned
from the kitchen to the hallway
I was shaken so violently
by a longing for you