Written by Zoe

you did not cradle me 

when i was still growing inside 

your hands are like mine 

brown and strong, spotted 

with moles and scars 

but you did not hold my mother 

with your shaking 

hands you’d rather 

wrap around the neck 

of a glass straw 

now you are gone 

probably 

still living in apt. 228 or 

on the streets with your girlfriend 

and her baby in a city, 

working hard for the first 

time in your life 

hundreds of miles away 

finally trying 

to get your life back 

get it 

right this time. 

you are unreachable 

I am no longer your 

favorite daughter or your 

greatest pride 

I hide in the narrative 

of your story 

no longer a character but 

instead something else 

an extension of You away from 

You 

can you still love me 

away from me