at 4, it's already clear
that mimi's going to grow
up to be one of those ladies
her momma calls a "fame fer tall"
one of those cigarette-swilling heartbreakers
who strides in
and gets things going
like a party
or a murder
mimi's got those 4-year-old
high heels on, those
coffee-can romper stompers
strapped to her feet
with the ribbon laces
that match her bathing suit
the ants scramble out
of the guillotine clank of her walk
as she sh-clanks her way
up and down the sidewalk
slicing worms in half with
a single-minded step
the art of the crush
makes her the terror of the insect world
but the she's the darling of every
dog on the block
want her like nothing
can't take their eyes off her
drool for her
whine to the shine of her step
nose to her like fresh bones
no one's seen anything like it
the dogs
won't leave her side
jostle each other for her
attention
and skulk home when she goes
in to dinner
she's born to break
hearts and like any good
minx, she's got her secrets
cherry kool-aid
makes her lips red
"please" gets her
what she wants
and she never gives up
the leftover meatloaf
she hid
in her bikini bottoms.