I wrote this last summer, and felt like sharing it as my Tuesday slice.
The Circus
she took us to the circus
elephants and tigers
sister in overalls
me in those awkward long pants
presenters shouting
like they only know how to talk this way from 6 to 8
I smell the buttered popcorn
spy on other families
wonder if you’ll buy me the wooden toy they parade during intermission
your hand on my back
warm
firm
I feel like a daughter
protected
yours
she sits at the far end
locking the three of us in
the one I won’t name
the one it’s easier to blame
today is a day in time
when sister still believes
believes in her
believes in this new life of yours
she leans in
I lean away
she took us to the circus
that woman I won’t name
she planned it all
the snacks
the seats
the practiced smiles
she locked us in
was it kindness
or something else dressed up as fun
clowns
birds
ring jumping dogs
she brought us here
she made this moment
this joy-framed memory
this bright, frozen slice
of a before
that never really was
Start with a Story 
Whoa. I had to read this a few times to study how and where the shift happened for me, where I went from thinking this might be a special experience to realizing this was a moment to look back on with anger and unresolved hurt. Powerful writing, Ana.
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I love how you incorporate all the senses into this poem, and yet it gives off that frozen memory feel like you say at the end — where the sounds and smells are muffled, everything moves in slo-mo. A powerful piece.
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