“Missing Persons”

every day
I break down
at least once

there’s been this sense of
lack
of responsibility

one less mouth to feed
one less child to wake
less clothes to wash
one less attitude to correct
one less

clearly I found
part of my identity
in being a mom

so if you find that part of me
let me know

“Cosmetics”

if you can’t see your beauty
wear it

all last week
I felt ugly
until Friday
when I wore makeup

maybe it helps
to get “dolled up”
before you go inside
and see what’s wrong

putting on a face
helped me
step through
the looking glass