for John
We thought we were in deep woods
where no one would find the newspapers
we’d dumped rather than delivered,
and instead rode our 3-speeds
to the convenience for popsicles.
But we were kids, and the papers
were only 10 feet from the path,
so our parents spotted them
and called out our shame.
I felt the confusion of a good girl
who has done a bad thing.
I’ve held this memory all this time
like a bright black stone
in my belly, but I’m not ashamed.
I’ve long since forgiven that stupid little girl,
but in the flinty bond of siblings
I will deathgrip forever the
camaraderie I felt with my brother,
in our brief life of crime.
