I

I wish he hadn’t
said those things

II

I wish I stood up
for myself

I (addendum)

but that every
word, statement, urge
he shared with me
would write itself
on his palms so that
he could never give
his wife and daughters
anything without them
knowing about it.

II (addendum)

the way I know
my sister would:
her voice a sudden snowstorm
and his windows open;
her eyes rigid potholes
for his 70mph truck;
her spine a proud column;
her skin untouchable.