Things I've Lost:

 A stuffed rabbit at the mall,

            I cried, screaming until my mother

            found it oozing puffy white stuffing

            in the women’s dressing room.

 

My first boyfriend—Kyle—when he

didn’t come back for second grade.

I can’t remember missing him.

 

A library book once in the third grade: I recall

            scrambling on hands and knees, searching behind

            my hamster’s dirty cage,

            while I mumbled through my Catechism, praying

            for a miracle.

 

My brother’s favorite mitt—purposely (of course),

            until he threatened to break my nose.

 

The chance to be “Daddy’s girl,” thanks in part to

a few too many beers, a couple of crisp

joints, and his “disease.”

 

An old flame’s first name, as he fought through

            crowds yesterday to say hello. Suffered through

            pained silence while I ransacked old wounds.