How Can We Make This Work by Amy Cotter

How Can We Make This Work

“How does this work?” a five year old questions

His eyes watching yours, showing no mercy.

You pick up the train, put it in motion

“I’ll show you,” you say, “no need for fury.”

Out on the carpet, you start to lay it down

Wheels spinning as you give it a hard push

Following the tracks it travels around

Invisible to the eye, the constant rush

“How is this happening?” he asks again

Confused, not knowing what to do you freeze

The proof was not enough, a new approach now.

You pick up the train like a gross insect

And expose its belly to the boy.

Grabbing at each wheel meticulously

And spin them with a flick of your finger.

Around and around they go, aimlessly

As he looks at you eager to linger.

“I tricked you,” he exclaims, laughing at you.

He stops and smiles, “I knew all along.”

“All it is, is force, “as he walks away

“Like what I did with you, to feel belonged.”

Your eyes fill with tears, guilt scorches your face

You've been trying so hard to include him

But work gives you neither the time nor space

To enjoy the moments of his cap brim

Poking up from behind the emerald couch.

A baseball game for the mother and son,

Ice cream cones for an excuse to just slouch

In order for that smile to upon

That face of your boy, your son, your joy.

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Poem of the Day: How do you

BY KABIR

How do you,

Asks the chief of police,

Patrol a city

Where the butcher shops

Are guarded by vultures;

Where bulls get pregnant,

Cows are barren,

And calves give milk

Three times a day;

Where mice are boatmen

And tomcats the boats

They row;

Where frogs keep snakes

As watchdogs,

And jackals

Go after lions?

Does anyone know

What I’m talking about?

Says Kabir.