Clementine

Blowing the smoke

of the illusion that you’re mean,

even when your hurting heart

is hurting me.

You let the fear turn you to steel,

when your inherited pain

was always yours to feel.

Came to my dinner table

after digesting a meal.

If only you savored my flesh

instead of quitting

at the

peel.

© Stephanie Khio 2024