In Defense of the Side Hoe

Written by Brendan Manning Illustrated by Arielle Junca

The side hoe never receives a standing ovation but you might get time off your sentence for good behavior, maybe even remorse.

As the prison bars your jailhouse rock you almost forget the dreams you used to dream.

When all you wanted was to be wanted to hold him in your hand like a lit cigarette. Bad boys are just shiny new toys. No pain, just play like rabbits do.

His lips are soft as cotton candy that dissipates in your mouth. It’s a carnival game, but you wanted to play. To jump the fence for a few minutes alone. You trade for sleepless nights with bloodshot eyes.

And as you melt this candy cane, with whipped cream and a cherry on top cavities to breathe away and hang it out to dry.

Now you’re the homewrecker, the naughty slut. You lost what wasn’t yours to lose.

Yet he who has so much, brought so much rain walks free with his promiscuous fool while you have lost your secret valentine and leave Paris before midnight.

We all want the same thing, to love and be in love. It’s a hard train to catch, but most everyone does. But what if you’re fragile? Is it still your fault?

The jury’s out, can you admit it? Vicious. Guilty. Pretend you didn’t g