see jane run

[nibbed]

Hi Lizzie, okay this is a genius poem, wow. My first inclination was that of an abuser, but then after careful examination, I went with what was written instead of what my mind first steered toward because of the influence of the news and what I let into my head space. There has been a lot written lately about female teachers abusing their students and so my head naturally went in a direction of abuse.

Now I am thinking something completely different, a coach, perhaps. A track coach, but a male coach, not a female coach. I was disturbed by the word "heels", first a dog but then imagined a runner in a starting position. A female would never say "to mask the musk of first periods". So I am thinking this is a male track coach with a young female athlete, but it is a bit disturbing he knows the brand names of the products she uses, unless he has a daughter of like age at home. "It'll make it easier touching her" may refer to when it is necessary to touch in order to show proper stance or position.




she thinks I love her                                                              
I don't                                                                                        
but I'm cradling                                                                       
that belief—
it'll make touching her easier                                             

she's nine but smells like thirteen—                                   
strawberry Lip Smackers                                                                             
and Love's Baby Soft perfume—                                             
the shit parents gift their budding daughters
to mask the musk of first periods                                          
                                                                                                      
I don't like em young                                                                
I don't like anyone                                                                      

but I can get her                                                                          
to perform on command                                                             
like she's hypnotized—                                                                
I snap my fingers
and smile
as she heels to me                                                                      

—such a good girl—

I love to watch her
run