by Menke Hudzinski-Biewenga
Innocence is tending to dust bunnies
raising them under the bed; watching them hop
refusing to eat your veggies
just so you can feed them
It is painting a rainbow on the wall
for Mommy; a big happy grin
proud of your work—unaware
you’ll sleep without dinner
It is believing daddy is gone
on an extended vacation; believing the man
visiting Mommy in her room is here to help
her fix the bed before Daddy gets home
Innocence is opening the door
to your bedroom where
you stand by as he cleans your dust
bunnies before touching you under
your skirt
It is going through the house
while Mommy is gone
finding the things Daddy left
before they will clean that too
And when you realize Daddy isn’t
coming back, and other men come
and go
It is believing you are the one
who caused him to go away—
Innocence is painting
grins on your skin
with the blades from Daddy’s old razor