A Mother’s Touch
by Rachael Lee
In a silent room, the girl watches
Her mother shoving clothes into
A garbage bag, neatly folded clothes leave
The drawers, stacked in no particular order
As the bag fills, the girl takes a step back
She knows what is coming before
Her mother drags it to the door
The girl’s toes flex against the hardwood floor
Cutting air rushes in to meet her skin
The bag is thrown, blemishing untouched snow
It mimics the girl, frozen in stark defiance
Her mother places two tender hands
On the girl’s shoulders, giving a hard shove
Icy pavement scars her feet, hardens her
She is done with crying, though she is broken
She remembers her last words,
You’re not my daughter anymore