her parents said
-believe in God
-believe in yourself
-believe in family
-don’t have sex it will
leave you empty
i thought of
these things, and
many other things
as she pulled into
a park, turned off her headlights
and lit a
cigarette
I said, “I
don’t think this is
a good idea”
she took off
her shirt
I said, “I can’t
I’m dirty”
she unhinged her
leopard bra
I said, “jesus,
if I ever have a daughter
there’s no way to stop her,
is there?”
she handed me a
water bottle and
said, Go Clean Off
her parents were asleep
when we got back, but the goddamn
brother-
3 feet shorter than me
100 pounds lighter, but
with a better haircut, said
“I didn’t say you
could come back over”.
he smiled to himself, as if
he had won something
I smiled back, and thought
if that’s what you need
then take it ... I’ve already
helped myself.