Careful, Careful

Think of corsages saved.
Think of folding laundry.
Think of her sweet limbs,
the gentle crushing.

Careful of spotlights,
careful of the clock.
Careful of your hands shaking
the darkiness in her eyes.

Remember the words back,
remember to smile,
remember her lovely neck
and where you put her.

Mary Anne Samyn, "The Magician Explains How," from Captivity Narrative

Small Ones, Sun

A weekend. Pool with small ones in the evening cool. A picnic. Cherries. Hot concrete. Reading Roald Dahl's "The Boy Who Talked With Animals" aloud during kids' break, I looked up to find us distantly surrounded by small children listening, leaning in ever so slightly to hear until the whistle blew.