teacher

i know the lessons
i want to teach my daughter
when she stands 
in front of a mirror 
or in front of a man
but in the moment
when her blue eyes
meet mine
my breath is caught
by her expectation
and observation
and i freeze
i see her taking notes
but these are not the notes
i want her to study
stop
put down your pencil
the test won’t be on
body mass
or
submission
do as i say
class is over
go play
please leave
i need to find slimming shorts 
and smoother makeup
and polished words
and polite smiles
and why are you still there
you don’t need those
those aren’t for you
why
are
you
such
a
quick
learner