I always made her wait
’til Thursday 
To cry

“That’ll teach you,” I commanded, 
“to feel, to wish and need.”

Someone, but not I
Might’ve offered mercy
But why

“The more tears, the more mess,” I understood.
“And further,” I’d chide, “you cannot permit pieces of who you are to escape and run free -there’s no one who’ll care to clean up after you.” 

Then she’d quiet down and stop expecting
She’d fall asleep, and dreamless be
She’d go. Goodbye. 

“If I could be bothered to wonder,” I thought aloud, 
“I’d ask where.”