Size / / /
We only talk now on growing days—
Dad checks my span and shoots me up.
I burst from his embrace
spread new pinfeathers,
go leaping through the lab—
last night I hurdled nine cages of chimps.
He wants me to behave,
submit to another of his five zillion tests
but his moldy ideas are holding me up.
Stripping off my dress I run
naked as a jaybird, swift
as a falcon.
He can't cage me; I'm his little chickypoo.
Outside the lab there are boys, there are birds—
teary threats won't ground me
forever. I am clawed as an eagle
savage as a kite
and I will fly.