When I found out my real mother didn’t want me,
I figured I was damned. My young life was over;
there wasn’t any use trying to be good anymore.
Nobody to please. Even God.
I started stealing, first to prove I could. Second,
to prove God wouldn’t do anything about it.
Wouldn’t because he didn’t exist. Even if he did,
he didn‘t care. I figured I was damned anyway.
I had long learned to sneak around unseen.
Just had to do it in open daylight now.
Stole money from a teacher’s purse.
From the collection basket at church.
What did I tell you? I was damned anyway.
You have to take what you want, cause life
ain’t gonna give you anything otherwise.
That’s my new philosophy. I’m damned well
going to do whatever I please.
first published in BEHIND PRISON WALLS Chapbook
©2011 Bonnie Manion