I am from behind the Orange Curtain I am from dogs and kittens,
Pristine lawns and swimming pools Curly Joe and Muffin, Sunny D, Summer days dripping with laughter Magic, Misty, Fat Cat 1 and Fat Cat 2 Bike rides, arms flying to catch a breeze Tortoises and bunnies long gone Bumpin’ and grindin’ their way Down that gentle hill that slopes to home To leftover watermelon rinds, apple again, cores, honeydew Home again jig-gitty jig. Remnants of kindergarden hands brought home I am from the place of no problems To share the love of learning But lots of secrets too dark to tell The joy of life Hid up under the bed Passed on to a child who said, Layers of dust so deep no one can see “I will never be like my mother!” Except the dolls whose eyes know And yet.... And the monsters peering Out my slightly cracked closet door