flip-flop
flip-flop
flop-flip
goes them sandals that are too big
on ***** toes
ka-chunk
ka-chunk
ka-chunk
goes the scooter on the sidewalk cracks
flip-flopped toes
steering
tick
tick
tick
goes the library clock
on the red rug
in the quiet
click-clack
click-clack
click-clack
go the wooden puzzle pieces
in your small
elfin hands

i remember that you loved being read to
sitting on my lap, my arms around you
i pick out a stack of books
silly ones
you'll love
but you
sit on the other side of the rug
you won't
look at me.
i wait.
i ask.
i plead.
you won't
look at
me
my eyes want to turn into puddles
in front of the librarian
but i don't want you to know i'm sad
i ask you if you want to walk back
you say
yes.

ka-chunk
ka-chunk
ka-chunk
you look back at me
with your seven year old eyes
i almost say
i am sorry...
but this is not
our
fault.

you
stop
wait for me
to catch up
you hug my arm
put your face
in the crook of my elbow
look at me
say,
Red...
i want to read
a
story

we
went
back.