The Trigger of Texas

The Trigger of Texas

W&L Creative Writing, 2019

I learned hot dogs taste better on a win,

that victory trumps injury.

I learned that guns pair well

with cheap liquor and open fields.

I learned that a girl’s purpose

is to bake treats, 

not expecting 

that ‘Southern Pride’

is a thin, tearing veil.

I learned that the Bible

is literal.

But, alas, 

you still get to pick and choose

to use as ammunition.

I learned that ignorance is fine

and settling isn’t settling

if you’ve never known anything

but this.

I learned to bite the brash bullet

and re-map my mind,

feigning agreement

and snickering shallowly

to grasp admiration

from the uninterrupted

town of eight hundred thousand.

I learn quick.

I changed quicker.