Tom Petty Ain't Shit

Dust settled neatly on the dashboard

An homage to neglect

The time of night when fireflies make their presence known

Sun retiring beneath the tree line

“You belong, among the wildflowers”

My mother sings to her girls

“This song was my wish for you before I had you”

She says

Her voice tinged with sadness

How big our dreams are for our girls before they arrive

Tucked away in the fold of our bellies

Growing from women cut at the root

Lately, I’ve been shedding layers 

Unlearning everything 

Lifting observation 

Over language I used to trust

Heels planted in sand 

Lungs caked in salt

I let the ocean teach me to breathe

A song is not sweet because it is sung

And I could not hope to be free, if a man had to hope it first