farm house

That hurt--

it was 100 years old

In the rotten fence post,

the kitchen chair & bathroom sink

he sinned--

in the way he said 'I love you'

but I couldn't swallow it

mother shielded

my curious eyes

'You're too young'

I never understood

The potted plants grew tall & wide

and bloomed under a tender thumb

I went to the orchard

to catch fireflies

and missed the truck

--beating down the drive

I knew that hurt was in me too

When I said 'I love you'

but you couldn't swallow it