“It’s a baby animal book”
I sweep the dust
From under my bed
Back in the World
“I bought it for you”
I pack my lunch
For another day’s work
Back in the World
“Can you say elephant?”
I search for my car keys
To go food shopping
Back in the World
“Touch the fuzzy duckling”
I order lunch
At the corner deli
Back in the World
“One, two, buckle my shoe”
I wash the day off
My face and hair
Back in the World
“I have a soft blanket for you”
I put on my reading glasses
And read a popular novel
Back in the World
“Come lie down. It’s time to sleep”
I close my eyes
And
Remember
His lost smile
(Teri Buford O’Shea was a frequent contributor to the jonestown report. Her other poems in this edition include Homecoming, and I Do Not Love You. Information about her recently-published book Jonestown Lullaby appears here. Her previous writings appear here.)