The Things People Do

I had to write a poem for my tutorial; it’s the first time I’ve done so in ages and I thought you all might enjoy reading it.

My mother sends cards in the mail once a month.

Last month, she wrote,
“Dreams are like paper, too easily torn,” and,
“I love you, baby girl,”
and enclosed $25 to Victoria’s Secret.

She hates my boyfriend but sends lingerie money;

Even after 18 years, the woman makes no sense to me.

My father steals music for me and sends it in covert emails.

“Cross country meet this weekend;
see attachment for ‘directions’,” or
“You said you’re sick;
I attached mom’s chicken soup recipe.”

He thinks he’s clever;
I don’t even like chicken soup.

My boyfriend sees me 12 of the 24 hours in a day.

When he leaves, he calls me for no reason.
“Just thought I’d let you know I got off work early,” he says.
“My mother and I are going Halloween costume shopping.”
“I have a bad 90s pop song stuck in my head and wanted to share the pain.”

When I get off the phone, I say that I’m not sure what the point of the call was.
My roommate laughs and says, “People do crazy things when they love you.”