Tiptoe

Tiptoeing through the used condoms
strewn on the piers
off the west side highway
sunset behind
the skyline of Jersey
walking towards the water
with a fetus holding court in my gut
my body highjacked
my tits swollen and sore
the river has more colors at sunset
than my sock drawer ever dreamed of
I could wake up screaming sometimes but
I don't.
I could step off the end of this pier but I got
shit to do
and an appointment on tuesday
to shed uninvited blood and tissue
I'll miss you I say
to the water
to the son or daughter
I thought better of
I could fall in love
with Jersey at sunset
but I leave the view to the rats
and tiptoe
back.

~Ani Difranco, "Not A Pretty Girl", 1995