The Highest Bidder

Tamar Peterson

Content warning: sexual themes, mentions of violence and implied abuse

A brightly lit restaurant, with a boy who grins like his father. Peeling off her layers from across the table, Hell he has never been so famished.

Love her tender Love her sweet.

A darkened cinema, with a boy who smells like his mother. Groping a tit that he does not own, Hell he hasn’t seen yet.

Love her tender Keep her keen.

A grimy laneway, with a boy who cries like his brother. Struggling against the girl with the dagger, Hell she has never felt so vindicated.

Love her tender Make her smile. *** don’t forget the mothers, fathers and brothers too.

His father taught him to love, through spittle and fists. Strip her heart before she steals yours.

His mother taught him to control, through murmurs and bruises. Don’t rise before his words soften.

His brother taught him to go for the girl, through fondling and ghosting. Take her for a ride she will never forget.

The remnants of him serve as a testimony: A warning for all sons to come.

Love them tender Before they become meat For the highest bidder.

Tender