Merit Coba

It was just one slap.

Didn’t even hurt that much.

Shuddered your walls though.

 

It was just the one slap

As if to correct an unruly child.

(taking candy without asking!)

One of those e-d-u-c-a-t-i-o-n-a-l ones.

with the certainty of more.

(If you persist, that is.)

But  you are no kid   no more.

And  you don’t take no shite.

Not from anyone.

Not anymore.

 

Not from your ex.

(His shite you put up with for so long, so very long)

 

Not from your internet suitors.

(Virtual dating shite, that is.)

And not from him no more,

not anymore.

 

It was the weakest of pats.

The kind you gave your kids once.

(Long time, long time ago.)

That kind he gave you now.

(Then and now, then and now.)

But you’re no kid no more,

not anymore.

 

It barely brushed your cheek.

but it iced your soul.

A  chilled chilling silence spreading

(to the back seats).

Your children, subdued

“If you are going to be like that,”

he says,

“you better get out!.”

 

And you do.

For you’re no kid no more,

not anymore.

 

He is the first man,

and he won’t be the last.

But you won’t take no shite no more,

not anymore,

never no more.