Hate Crimes
I wail and wail and no one ever comes
I wish my daddy still lived with us
I wish my mommy still loved me
I stand in the corner, and go to bed without my supper
I didn’t do itI had it first
I dragged a stick across broken
cement in the far corner of the playground
I had to repeat fifth grade
It wasn’t my faultNo one would go to the dance with me
(What a creep)
I lost the job in the first week
AssholesI am the reason the shape of ears radiates heat
I hold reactionary political views and no one can tell me anything
I’m not a wimp
You talking to me?I stalk, and seize, and smash
I killed someone once
I stole a whole chocolate cake and I
crouched over it while I ate
No one came to my birthday party
I waited all afternoon
Don’t be a babyI’ve got rights
You think you’re so good
You better watch your mouth
You better watch out for them
You better watch out for me
I hate your guts
I hate me
©1997 F.J. Bergmann"Hate Crimes" appeared on Prose Toad Fall 2004