My Plenty Mouth

POETRY

by Amanda Rachel Robins

The books I’ve read say that I’m chewing all
my pen caps because I was never breast
fed. Something I do know: I was born near
an army base & a German nanny
spoon-fed me so many pumpkins, carrots,
& squash that I turned a pretty yellow.
Yes. I like to sing the captain’s part in
“Edelweiss.” Yes. I’ve never spoken to
my father. Already, I’ve quit smoking,
so why should I quit anything else? I
can’t learn how to scream with you or how to
unfold this tongue. I used to wish for some
double joints, some hinges. A way open.
Now: a dark floor & a pearl in my teeth.