The American Poetry Review

SMOTHER

The smoke never appears in family pictures.

The smoke got up this morning and ran a marathon. She came in first in
her age group without trying.

The smoke’s children are fine, just where they should be on the growth
chart. She lets their father cut their hair.

The smoke writes her novels in the bath.

She’s cool with school lunch.
Her Twitter is a thing of beauty.
Her kids are her inspiration.

The smoke cherishes each moment. She doesn’t nag about people leavingthe lights on. She just steps over

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