A woman sits at the telephone desk
Her little girl meanders over taking note
Of a red object with black dots on the desk
“What is that?” she inquires
“Why, that’s a ladybug!” the woman replies
“I like ladybugs!” the girl responds

what makes one tick
tick tock goes the clock
long buried memories
that shape us, define us

the things that make up your life
create who you are
how you are
what you are
why you are

how many days in a row
was the woman un medicated
as many days
as he didn't want to see it

couldn't take off the blinders
he did the best he could
to take care of the kids
and work a full time job

he loved his wife
but wished for one decent lucid moment
like it was some kind of lottery

was she Jackie Onassis
on the day the girl peered out into the yard
from the small opening
beneath the house

she saw her walk by
in her navy blue blazer and skirt
fiery red hair
well coiffed, timeless beehive

she could have been entrenched
in a multi-operational investigation
with the F.B.I. and C.I.A.

it takes quite awhile for a child's hair
to form a knot
as large as a cantaloupe

who could have been watching her
when she incited immeasurable fear
announcing that he called her on the phone
he knew her name, her address, and names of her children
the woman became angry when the girl questioned why the phone didn't ring

for days the girl tried to find the police
that were tasked to watch the house
the woman said they were in the trees

I've always liked ladybugs.