other mothers, other fathers

decisions that happened even before

the womb

my one ancestor who left by choice

and the one who was made to

when i bleed it is they who speak

no one is getting off the hook tonight

anything forced underground to save face

warps the faces we end up inheriting

as i age i begin to love the bugs at twilight

i have blood and they need it to survive

it’s not that i needed a perfect mother

“take responsibility for your personality flaws”

they said

and yes i am trying

to forgive

all instances of abandonment

my father moved his face and i felt it instantly

the endless search

for other fathers, other mothers

and here up on this hill

i see them