GUM
LINA
I was thinking about being on a plane with you and seeing the shape of continents. I could talk to the stewardess for both of us and order you juice and candy. You chew gum when the plane takes off for your ears. And then all you do is stay in one exact spot and sleep and eat and watch the person next to you. Me.
I was thinking that on the plane I would bring cloth to spread over your legs against the cold, and slippers for your feet. It will be the cleanest ride of our lives. I imagine your face with sky behind it. When we get to ground you'll need me just to speak. But you are such a fast learner. Remember how you won the Girls' Prize for scholarship? You knew every number and name by heart. You would chant for an hour, just true things.
I could learn every language in the world and still not know what's true and what's a lie.
For example, did they really remove the source of your wildness and confusion, and if so was it also the source of the funny things you said and your strange loving ways?
And why were we born with extra parts?
Talk louder.
Don't you dare.
Don't you dare.
(Mocking)
OWW. OWW. Other people have the exact same pain and don't yell about it. Did you ever think that? That hot tea hitting your skin and mine makes the same exact feeling and you scream and scream and other people don't? It's not like you're the only girl in the world. It hurts. So? Millions of girls hurt just as much.
I was thinking about being on a plane with you and seeing the shape of continents. I could talk to the stewardess for both of us and order you juice and candy. You chew gum when the plane takes off for your ears. And then all you do is stay in one exact spot and sleep and eat and watch the person next to you. Me.
I was thinking that on the plane I would bring cloth to spread over your legs against the cold, and slippers for your feet. It will be the cleanest ride of our lives. I imagine your face with sky behind it. When we get to ground you'll need me just to speak. But you are such a fast learner. Remember how you won the Girls' Prize for scholarship? You knew every number and name by heart. You would chant for an hour, just true things.
I could learn every language in the world and still not know what's true and what's a lie.
For example, did they really remove the source of your wildness and confusion, and if so was it also the source of the funny things you said and your strange loving ways?
And why were we born with extra parts?
Talk louder.
Don't you dare.
Don't you dare.
(Mocking)
OWW. OWW. Other people have the exact same pain and don't yell about it. Did you ever think that? That hot tea hitting your skin and mine makes the same exact feeling and you scream and scream and other people don't? It's not like you're the only girl in the world. It hurts. So? Millions of girls hurt just as much.