Maternal Instinct
by Christina Roc

I saw a child cough, once, and thought 
to slam my head. This great love I hold 

makes me want to slam my head. Against 
concrete, I’d say, but we’ll have to do with tile 

more//cracks, anyway
 \\ 
.
this was a list of periods: 

drip . 

. drip
drip 




they’re dripping 
forgot to close the bathroom door the bedroom door the bathroom right 
what was I saying 

.
\\. \ \ 

I am so in love I built a tattoo of your name. construction ///
look the tattoo of your name. don’t ask questions we know ink 
is meant to hole right through your neck . drip 

drip 

drip 
I love you 
\\. 
daily reminder: 

I am a woman. I am a woman. I am a woman. I am a woman. I am a womamn. I am a woman . I 
wam am woman. I am a woman. I am am woman. you are a woman. I ama woman. you are a 
woman. I am wamomma. I am a wa . I am woman women womn wmn wymn wymen 
wymen ? woman ! wimn wn whim him his hymn his hiss his womb I am 
.
\\ 

ohhhh maybe I should get the bucket . \\ 

. . . . 
I won’t . . 
unless you’re .uncomfortable . . . 
wouldn’t want y.ou. uncomfortable
.because I am . . 
\\. . . 

So warm! So kind! Yo.u’d make a great . teacher!
.  . .
The floor I am . .  .
. .  .
You’d make a great teacher! You are the kind of person who might c/law them from your chest 
// 
. . . 
drip 
/./ 
. drip
\\ \ \ 

. \\ 

.

// .