Return to Top of Page
Menu
  • Close
  • About Us
  • Contributors
  • Donate
  • Opportunities
  • Staff
  • Submissions
  • 20 Years
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Search Website
Literary Mama
  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Departments
  • Blog
  • Newsletter

Poetry | August 2013

Play Nice

By Dayna Patterson

Three generations sit at a table:
grandmother, mother, child.
The grandma hisses,
don’t you kick me
or I will spank you
from here to hiss-hiss.

Diaper full, a dark pink splotch
spreads down the inner thigh
of her light pink leggings.

She licks
the glass wall between her
and the playground.

You are mean, Caroline,
the grandma says, glaring.
You threw it. I saw you.
You did it on purpose,
and you are mean.

The mother licks
chicken breading off her fingers
and sends Caroline
to play on the slide.

Your children are there.
You hope they will.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Share This Page

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Copy Link

Dayna Patterson

Learn More

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Don't miss out on Literary Mama news and updates

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Instagram
  • RSS

© 2023 Literary Mama | Search Site | About Us | Staff | Submissions | Privacy Policy