inanimate love
our children sometimes
shove and kick each other
speak harshly and tease
they aren’t always gentle
with a brother’s heart
but you would never guess these things
if you saw the tender way
they work together to buckle in
each inanimate stuffed animal
in the car
both openly concerned about
each little body’s
safety, comfort, and view,
their hearts utterly in tune
when they care for these
beings without blood
stuffy confidential
slowly they come to tell me the news
a parade of fuzzy confidences:
Pete
Kiki
Mr. Fuzzles
Yip-Yappin’ Coyote (the Yip-Yappin’ Yapster)
I snuggle them one by one
pat each bottom like a baby perched on my shoulder
listen close as they whisper in my ear
touch my nose to their synthetic fur
to breathe in childhood
and the relief of de-stressing distress
look into all the beautiful brown eyes in the room
and nod
I’m here
I’m listening
you are loved
