Published in Harmony
Vol.7 2005-2006

pink mouths
talk loud and fast
about husbands
discount buying clubs
cloth diapers
diaper rash
good schools
test scores
due dates
selfish fact
after great selfish fact
flattens tensions
into circles
of chatter
no aches
no loss
spelled in heavy words
no Indian movies
just minivans
sleep patterns
poop patterns
eating preferences
refused vaccines
fat emptiness
translated into
purchasing on-line
Gap quality
at discount prices
forgotten pedicures
longed-for massages
a solitary father appears
and that dowdy self-conscious
mother
smoothes her hair
her legs
her tummy
but remains
thick
and maternal
while those two tight-jeaned
hiply-dressed
mothers watch him
match their neat
son
daughter
baby
perfect production
and source of endless
conversation
paint pictures
of their completely
dilated cervixes
struggle to pull out
breasts
bursting with milk

no talk of the war
that’s coming
those thoughts
lie hidden inside
somewhere
smothered
by routine
or lack of interest