precious whore
© 1995 Devon Koren

among the doghouse meadow
we stood like statues
enclosed by barbed wire
"hey little girl
do you wanna buy some candy?"
and i nod my head
the fool
i always loved sugar
but suddenly
my outstretched arms embracing handfuls of dirt
and i
watch your hands
undo
what could never be undone
searing
the pain that touches the untouchable
i want to scream
but my lips are fastened with elmer's school glue
and cotton candy
dry autumn leaves
attack
the nape of my neck
and my eyes hold the clouds

"don't tell anyone
or i'll tell your mother what a whore you are."
my mother always told me
never to let
the hands
touch me
so i hid beneath a kudzu curtain
as he walked away
his thumbs gingerly hugging his beltloops
and the wind pushes the swing
among the aisle of honeysuckle
"you must learn to stand up
for yourself,
'cause i can't always be around."
i shrug

now among the lamppost alleys
only the names have changed