by Joan Dobbie

Photo by jd 2005

I was going crazy. I didn’t mean
to do it, but
I threw my baby out the window.

It was made of glass
& shattered on the walk.

I jumped out after. I was
made of glass, and yet. I did.
Just barely. Survive.

I broke my legs, my arms. My face
was ripped off at the cheek. My heart

was pierced & oozing
through my gut.

This happened only yesterday.
Today I bleed & bleed.

Dear counselor
I come to you in agony of shame

to plead for thread & needle
plaster, glue & surgical tools.

Please help me
gather up

my shattered baby
somehow
piece it back to life.

4/26/07