Message: I’m scared I’ll disappoint my parents by not getting into the college they want me to get into

Burst into the ballroom

On the same day you told me

I'd make a great dancer

Wanted your blessing

Even whilst bleeding out

Figured I could win most blood lost

Like at least that might

placate you until

The hospital bill was carried out

But instead I put on

The performance of a lifetime

Never complained for nothing

—Never learnt to put on my own pointe shoes

Just kept turning

Kept hoping for the best

So that maybe you would come to one show

And say, "You were the very

best

We've ever seen you, darling"

But I got used to tiptoes

Impress you with the bridge my back made

In a fallen handstand

And let you dine with

My spine as a placemat

It was fine

Expected nothing less than love

And I got more than that

Than most people

But I crossed the lines out

Swung from the crescent moon down

Onto the Earth

Fell from the length of a womb

Collapsed just in time

For you to turn and wash the dishes

At the side of the bed

Knuckles together

Thought anything could happen

As long as I asked for it

Grandma used to kiss both your cheeks

—Before you prayed at night