A Parent’s Shame
She grips a chunk of chalk in her fist
scratches onto black construction paper
familiar fury of scribbles:
a moon today
yesterday, an egg
someone’s head
side by side, two are apples.
Sometimes
the picture isn’t the point
it’s powder on palms
wows and ooohs and beautifuls
fingers and focus and finishing
it’s preschool pride
it’s fine-motor joy
neither of us realizing
she’s tall enough now
to see into the garbage can:
crumpled paper
soggy moon
coffee grounds
tomato sauce
my apologies flow from the faucet
my shame hangs on the fridge
Jessica Whipple is a writer for adults and children. Her poetry has been published by One Art, Sledgehammer Lit, Nurture, and Ember; another is forthcoming in Ekstasis. Her debut picture book titled ENOUGH will be published in Fall 2022 by Tilbury House. Jessica has always enjoyed writing and reading poetry. To read more of her work, visit www.AuthorJessicaWhipple.com or follow her on Twitter @JessicaWhippl17.
