Words

[Degorram]

Words

 

Like children

you avoid me

only when I need you,

twist out of my grip

with a shriek and a laugh,

and I know I’ll never catch you

now that it’s turned into a game.

 

Can’t you be quiet and lovely?

 

My sister had a book

that never gave her such trouble

as these few, rambunctious words.

 

I brought you into this world

and I can take you out of it too.

 

When I am busy

you crowd,

thrusting your paper frogs

and scribbled coloring books

up against my nose.

You want to hear that one story

over and over again.

 

When I want to be alone, you are hungry.

You make a mess of the kitchen unsupervised.

 

When I am tired,

you want to play.

Hide and seek!

Yet I seek,

and you cannot be found.

I reach for the door,

and it is locked.

And I am left

clutching at a tiny, faded dress,

weeping over what I once knew

and lost.