Within 50 km of the Falls
The buttons appear, ready to be pushed
My skin gets itchy and stretches to its thinnest
So that the slightest jab will hurt
Or even just being in the same room with the air that they breathe
Will sting my eyes
When I’m mad, I keep my height
Instead of shrinking to the height of a 10 year old
Whose straight As meant nothing in a house full of chores
Because you can’t learn anything from a book
Especially about living in the Falls
I’m 5 foot 5 in Kitchener
And seldom scowl, unless the sun is shining in my eyes
But as I fly past the Welland Canal
Wishing I was a ship passing in the night
I shrink and clench the wheel and feel a temper tantrum coming on
If Radar Love comes on the radio, I think I will scream.