I skimmed a news headline 

about some scientist finding sugar

in oxygen. So I’m cutting out oxygen

for a year. You mustn’t worry 

or drag your worry

to my Mom. I just want 

to lose my pregnancy fat

before Dylan graduates

from preschool. She’s learning

self care as I devour

chocolate bunnies 

on Easter and Halloween 

and every waxing moon.

At home, I hate telling her 

the bunnies are my dinner. 

Yes yes tomorrow 

I’ll be on day one 

of showing my daughter 

I have the control 

to abstain from gulping down

what surrounds us.

Published in the Garfield Lake Review (page 29, Fall 2019) and in Still Human (Falkenberg Press, 2025)