children’s ballet or survival of the fittest

ballerinas      end      up as bullies who       tie   me up in        nylon           who
plie         me      to       death      who          kick   the soft of   my      stomach

who      have my pain        for breakfast        who tendu step       across my   grave

who watch the weak one              cave      who flash their     blood stained baby

teeth           who recruit           others                               for their                 brigade

who      point           their   toes        at     all   their             vics    who       foam

for my exit                who                      commit       homicide                      with a

chasse   who                                               use                                    their words

to                                crush                              my                                        brain

Jessica "Jess" Ballen is a queer Jewish poet who is currently working on their MFA in creative writing at Antioch University. They live in Eugene, OR with their husband, three cats, and two guinea pigs. Their book Kosher was released in early 2023.