THE YEAR I BECAME A WOMAN (1)

psychically milked
there is a bossy tiger
in me, a child dictator
there is a garter snake
a garden snake
a bee who won’t leave the blue bells
there is a wet footprint 
in me, droplets lead to it
the wet footprint trips the pit 
dark blood greets as
palm slips quick to
save the baby’s skull
from contact
who do you want to be 
i want to 
nica
bashful name that sounds 
like a coo or curse or click 
baby snow leopard in the 
drugstore book 
“oh look” in salted cluck
and sweet 
side eye