She pulled the stroller into the classroom
the older one on her hip
her backpack on her shoulder 
beads of sweat rested on her upper lip
and in a line down the back of her t-shirt
she did not try to cover the bruises
on her left arm or her right cheek
she did not make excuses 
her boyfriend had the car
she had taken the bus
she pulled the stroller into the classroom
the older one on her hip
her backpack on her shoulder
and she meant it.

My daughter checks
the oven for cats
before she turns it on--
Just in case, she explains, 
one never knows for sure.