momma said be nice

by Chris Kads

You don’t expect to serve mashed potatoes and steak for breakfast.

Don’t expect to find urine in a tub

or to have sympathy

for the assaulter

who pissed in it.

I’ve learned

to let expectations fly

like ashes.

When the men retire

so do the rules

instilled by their mothers.

They’ll swim

in the deep end

of the pool,

tiptoe into the kitchen,

sneak a cookie

after bedtime.

I know now

that two things

can be true at once.

That the mush

can be unappetizing

and filling.

That a room

can be full of memories

and empty of soul.

That you can pity the mouse

in the trap, while being glad

he can no longer bite.

I don’t like the way

it all went down.

I wouldn’t wish

a life behind curtained bars

on anyone.

But when we finally

remove flesh-colored food,

scrub stains from the ceramic tub,

and open the door

for the new resident,

I’m happy to see

it’s a woman.

Photo of Chris Kads

BIO: Chris Kads is a Barrett Honors student at Arizona State University majoring in literature with a certificate in writing. Her poem "Icks" is soon to be published with Pillow Talk Magazine and her works "All Out", "Waking", and "Youtube Rewind" are upcoming with the Canyon Voices Literary Magazine. Additionally, her poem "Missing the Tide" is a current finalist in the 63rd Glendon and Kathryn Swarthout Awards. Chris hopes to make her family, boyfriend, friends, and two dogs proud with her literary pieces.