Ericka Clay

Here’s what will happen:

You’ll hate me for a lifetime 

Or

A moment.

And I will visit you at the church 

where you work 

or in the prison 

near my house.

And you will love God 

or learn the world according to Satan.

And maybe you will have children 

or know the ways of an untrained womb.

And maybe you’ll be happy on your own accord 

or shear every inch of yourself to wear another woman.

And you will remember all my sins 

and stack them up against me.

Or you will love me 

and let memory rot 

and forget the day I screamed 

until both our throats ran dry.