Rearing Daughters to Survive

by Hannah V. Warren

when mother slaughters a hog
knife on throat blood on hands
 
her daughters watch & clap
bellies full of meat & hot stones
 
it should be no surprise
when the oldest sister says
 
little sister you be the hog
& I’ll be the butcher

 
knife on throat blood on hands
mother finds the eldest daughter
 
belly full of meat & hot stones
smoke smell in her hair
 
mother says you’re growing up so fast

Hannah V. Warren teaches poetics, literature, and composition courses. Her poetry has been nominated for Best of the Net, and she serves as editor-in-chief for LandLocked Magazine. Her works have recently appeared or will soon appear in Room Magazine, Whiskey Island, and Prism Review. She writes and paints and tends her plants in Lawrence, Kansas.

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