Get out!
Go Away!!
Why did I have you?
I must have been insane!
You have been nothing but trouble
from the minute you were born.
Do the dishes!
Stand on the chair!
God gave you two hands..
USE THEM!
Make sure you dry deep in the bottom
of the glass..
I am going to check..
If it's not ..
I'm going to be the lawnmower
and your ass
is going to be the grass.
When your done ..
fold the clothes down stairs..
Your old enough to fold towels
you have to do your share.
Don't look at me like that!
The girl folds the towels
in the damp dark
basement looking everywhere..
Especially where she fears the most
underneath the creepy stairs.
She went into the dining room w
where the Mom had friends.
The room was smoky and they were all
drinking coffee when she came in.
You can't be done already! the Mom said.
The girl just put her head down
and nodded yes.
Well, then go lie down in the middle of the street and count mufflers..
Just don't make a mess.
The girl ran outside
listening to the laughter of the Mom and her friends.
The Mom always yells
and makes fun of the child..
As if she was nothing more
than an animal in the wild.
Slut, tramp, bastard..
I could have aborted..
I wish I did!
But I just couldn't afford it.
Your father in jail
Me three months along with you..
I had no money
What could I do?
She reminds the girl
she is not her daughter
She has no worth..
She claims when the girl was born
she must have got the afterbirth..
And her real daughter
is out there
somewhere..
The Mom screams ..
Life is not fair!
The girl wishes
she was the real daughter
who makes no mistakes..
Then maybe the Mommy would stop
all the hate.
The girl doesn't blame the Mom
for being mad ..
If the real one
never finds her way home..
Maybe Mom will change her mind..
and try to love her ...
just one time.
No... She screams
AFTERBIRTH AFTERBIRTH!!
The girl puts her small hands
over her ears
to keep out the screaming...
She does not want to hear..
It never works ...
She wishes she could have found
a better way.
Because even after all this time ...
She still hears
the echoes
in the back of her mind
AFTERBIRTH AFTERBIRTH ..
That is all
....you will ever be worth.
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Reviews of "A f t e r b i r t h"
Reviewed by Netta Jack (Reader)
Reviewed on March 8, 2003
Oh my God!!! POWERFUL WRITE!!!! Made tears come to my eyes. That means talent!!!!
Erica, I am so ashamed of my life. I have no right to ever grieve about unfulfilled wishes. I am grateful that you have made it. That you get to speak about things most of us cannot fathom. No, not ever ever even imagine. Shit, shit, shit. How do you not spend your life wrapped up in a great big tear?
How heart wrenching and sad. Reminds me of the book by Danielle Steel, "A Long Road Home". Good and powerful write, again, Erica. Very moving and touching.
Warm Love,
*-Brittany-*
Reviewed by Kate Clifford (Reader)
Reviewed on February 4, 2003
Hugs. This really touched my heart and gut. I had a friend with a mother like this. She was told she was the shit that came out. Sad write but it has been done well.
This is my personal inspirational book of poetry. It contains many poems written for family, friends, and relevant life situations. Hopefully you will find some that will encourage and inpsire you in whatever arena you are found in your circle of l
Dear readers, this is my third book of poems, and inside are a special collection of what have turned out to be not only MY personal favorites, but also the favorites of many of YOU. Some of these have never been available in print before...
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Warm Love,
*-Brittany-*
I always speak for the
children. Outstanding!!
*¿º
Chrissie