On Breaking Commandments
(For Lucille Clifton)
by Erika-Janea
Mama kills roaches
with the back of her right heel.
Their insides slippery
against the rubber of her shoe,
tangled with last week's gum
gliding across the linoleum
as she struts on out the door.
I notice she misses one,
caught it crawling clumsily
from behind me
I pretend I'm mama
and nudge my toe forward.
Can't quite grasp
the thought of leaving
with more than two legs
attached to my body,
I change shoes.