that first afternoon
I felt
the disapproving glint in your eye—
a flint
sparking
future of rejection
in innocence
I overlooked
your strength that grew
like water freezing
to prise apart
our defences
from the nest
you drove your son
(like your daughter before him)
with the sweet, sickly smell
of possession
but
unperturbed
your jasmine arms
probed their fingers
into any crevice they could find
yes
you weeded your way
into our garden of love
until nothing
was left untainted
great
was your joy
when
he and I
separated
you sad
frightened woman—
you never knew
how much
I loved your son.