water bottle baby

i put the seed in the bottom 
of the bottle & carry it all day. 
it could be any seed but i choose an apple one. 
small & brown-black. 
i have learned that life begins 
when we start weeping.
i squeeze the seed until it sobs. 
remember when someone did that to me. 
i was in the basement. i thought,
"if only there was a mirror." 
the willow trees understand. the goats 
understand. i am growing a child
the size of my thumb. they will stay that size
forever if i can help it. the fire 
in the museum. a window without glass.
i walk through & discover where 
teeth are born. i teach my friends
how to do this too. make your hope
small enough to live
in your water bottle. refill. peer inside
to watch it swim. feed it little bites.
a chocolate chip. a spoonful 
of peanut butter. i have lived on less.
you could really use any vessel
but i think the water bottle is best.
a little terrarium. no one asks why someone
is speaking into their water bottle.
to lose touch with reality is a blessing. 
thank god for the blinking tree & for the child
who does not know life outside
of the water bottle. she has no gender.
she whistles like a dying star. i won't ever
tell anyone her name. she will be here.
upside down. fresh teeth. 
one day, if i have to, i'll swallow her whole.