Chapter 1 – Sticks & Stones

He said,

I’ll beat you

And I

Don’t hurt me

I’ll beat you with my mouth

He said

And I said,

Please

Throwing sticks at neighbor girls

We laughed together

For want of better targets

Mute and motionless

Like dad – tied and gagged

Chewing gum

Hot tennis shoes

Whining women, broken cars

And rocks

Why are you a girl?

He said.