Cherry thief

hot day

supper’s hours away

no one in the kitchen

jar of Maraschino cherries

sits alone

in Frigidaire

pop two in your mouth,

flee

out back door

_____

return for supper

angry Maraschino cherry

mom questions

pass blame

suggest a sibling

back hand to face

“That’s for my cherries’

then another

“That’s for lying”

_____

in bathroom mirror

red welts, fat lip

two pink circles

Maraschino cherry

juice stains

on t-shirt

mental note

be more careful

next time you steal

8-16-20