What You Believe
       

That you can speak to dogs.
That they don't listen to you.

That women are impenetrable,
except for the obvious.

That children should like you.

That it's possible to be a hero.

That the good things in life are bad for
you: mothers, malted milk balls, cocaine.

That there is a God but He's ignored you.

That a family awaits you.

That you suffer for cheapness.
(Are you listening, Dad?)

That one morning you'll wake up dead.
And that will be without pain.

Copyright © 2010 Cristina Garcia All rights reserved
from The Lesser Tragedy of Death
Black Goat
Reprinted by Verse Daily® with permission