AT THE RED ROOF INN
Before the car pulled up, yanked away
my identity, 07 Chevrolet
placed it there in the unused ashtray
swimming in the lightning storm that day
arms out eagle wide, it would be my last,
last free day before ‘me’ decayed
thirteen years old, branded, leveled, sold
their laundress teen, their secrets I’d fold
become a number, my cell patrolled
rewarded when I help lock the deadbolt
to my own damn cage, government issued
They count cents, commissaries they stole
To buy Dodge Chargers and Kay’s jewelry
while they scrub my skin raw, rebrand me
going from girl to state property
they said that it wasn’t too heavy
the weight of turning fourteen without your mom
Shut your mouth, let ‘em get ya shiny
12 thoughts on "AT THE RED ROOF INN"
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love the constant sense of never-lets-up pressure here..
like the tension of the hosptial cornered sheets on hotel beds…
Thank you so much ☺️
I read this as a poem about entering the foster system. Is that right? The writing is detailed and intense.
Yes, this is my experience of entering the foster system. Thank you so much!
I agree with Tom and have same question.
You are correct! I have lot of big feelings about our system after experiencing it.
There is an angst here, this feels like a path I have walked. Well written.
That means so much! Thank you!
Love this metaphor about the foster system.
Thank you!
The way in which you describe your experience tells me that the decay of your “me” wasn’t permanent. You have a story to tell.
The child I was I think was indeed lost, but I find my way back to be kind to her everyday in loving my own children. Thank you so much!