Postpartum

My poem "Postpartum" was published in the Spring 2010 edition of The New Plains Review. Since it was published over a year ago, I'm posting it online so people who were not able to get the print edition are able to read the poem. You can find information about The New Plains Review here. Thanks for your continued readership!

Postpartum

Let your tiny cries like barbs
sink into my flesh,
let those delicate tears
eat into my skin like acid.
He holds you the way
he’s forgotten to hold me.
My world orbits yours, my parasite,
stealing my beauty,
drawing wrinkles on my forehead,
sagging skin once firm,
sinking your predatory teeth
with a smile
into me: haven’t you heard
not to bite the hand that feeds you?
Mostly, though,
let the way I hate you mingle
with the love I can’t help,
let the hate seep into me,
my sweetness,
let only you remain.