A girl holds her baby on a hint of hip.
She’d never known that word before—injunction—
until the lady outside the clinic stepped
as carefully as counting and did not come
too close or shout but spoke to the core
of a girl going in, whose name she didn’t know,
(Amber)—volunteers in pink at the door.
Then Amber—just a few more steps to go—
walked away. Now she yanks a pillow
under her boyfriend’s head—didn’t he promise
he’d babysit although it’s not even his,
until he gets a job? And then the girl,
just like the lady said, will find a way.
She hasn’t seen the lady since that day.
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