"sorry"

My dad says

“I’m sorry”

whenever he sees

younger pictures of me.

The smiling face and chubby cheeks

Of a child long lost

in the divorcé sea.

He said

“I’m sorry

for fucking you up.”

When I told him

I hated to see—

Me in the mirror

My dark eyes staring back at me.

Eyes would say

“So sorry”

when I was younger,

my pink princess lips opening

to let out an ugly beast ( my parents are divorced )

done so often

that eventually

( i became the beast )

And from time to time

I say

“Sorry”

whenever I miss dirt on dishes,

forget to close the baby gate.

But that never seems to work

a stern look

and scolding:

“sorry

doesn’t

fix

anything.”

( whenever something crashes;

shattered

on the floor )

Great Neck North Athletic Field, Great Neck, NY (2014)