by Athenamia Kincaid

Forgive me Oedipus

Forgive me cherry baby 

Mon Cheri

Dazzling monikers 

For the thinly stripped pound of flesh

I’m sorry I’m strange

I’m sorry I fell in love with you 

With my pacifier still spinning 

Around and around that spot fate has carved for you

I’m sorry that now 

In this hand paved orphanage 

I feel it more dimly 

I’m sorry I’ll look for your pride 

For as long as I remember who I truly am 

I’m sorry you still don’t know 

The shame I hold in every step 

I’m sorry my love 

I’m sorry you’ll get double the love 

Normal girls don’t have to live like this 

With every shard of his disaffection 

I’ll run to you 

My savior in all things 

Teach me how a man loves a woman 

Show me how to love you 

And recognize the voice within 

Throughout my devotion 

Please don’t find a shinier 

Prettier 

Broken piece

Spend your lifetime

Finding the ugly in me 

Understanding it

Reveling in my madness 

Swimming in a curse meant for a man much worse than me

I’m sorry I’m strange 

I’m sorry I’m angry

I’m sorry I hate what I hate 

I wish you could live it all with me 

I wish you could’ve seen what I saw 

And for that

I’m sorry most of all

Selfish wishes 

From a selfish 

Stupid little girl

Swaddle me 

Order me a cup of cherries wherever we go 

Love me forever 

Or not at all