Girl Natural
Her braces cut into
the soft side of her lips. Swollen mouth
smoking cigarettes.
There’s a boy named _________.
His eyes are a color.
He scratches a river
into her hand.
Her shirt lifted up,
exposing shame.
Laughter is ringing
wind and trickle
of water. She walks
to the park
where the trees
lost their leaves
and children balance
on top of stones.
Instead of cola
she drinks beer,
takes the long way
home.
(appears in Girl Life, 2016).