Fair or Not Fair

Do you remember that moment
When your mother's back had turned 
Her hair swinging like a curtain closing
So that she couldn't see
But you could 
And your sister or brother tore that favorite toy or stuffed animal
That felt like it was tethered to your soul out of your hand
As if it was explicitly strung with the thread of that teddy bear 
Through the vein in your wrist and up into the inner workings of your heart 
So when they ripped it out of your hand 
They truly ripped out your chest
So when you cried and protested 
And they pushed you over with a rebellious hand 
And you banged your head and cried 
Mommy sissy or brudder took it
Mother would turn her hair swinging
Like a curtain opening 
And she would say
"Life isn't fair" 
And you slink back into realization 
Thinking and just wanting to say 
"I know life isn't fair, mommy, but I thought at least people were." 

-anna sluder

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