BIRTHDAY GIRL
When I give the little girl a doll it springs to life,
a grown woman who lifts her skirt
where a little boy is stuck to her crotch
performing, with gusto, cunnilingus.
As this little boy wiggles
his knickers slide down and there is another
smaller child eating the little boy’s ass.
Everyone at the party coos, “How cute!”
The little girl squeals, “Look, mommy,
they are all enjoying oral!” I can feel my face
heating with shame. No one snatches
the doll/woman-with-clinging-children-at-her-genitals
away. I try, but my arms have been surrendered
to my dream where I am powerless.
And I wake up, equally so, another year older.
--Denise Duhamel
