4/25/98
childhood and the petty mistakes
ice cream man's bell ringing
collecting quarters from the sofa cushions
sticky popsicle fingers
the habit of elbows on the table
do the mistakes we make
ever seem wrong to us?
when we realize the steps we take
is it ever apparent before we screw up?
tears for no reason
sobbing on the floor
kicking and screaming
with saliva-coated thumbs
and now that we're grown
do we remember the mistakes
recollecting our own
and knowing the pain
i remember my sundresses
i know my dolls face by heart
laying on my purple floor
and singing to puff the magic dragon
now that i've learned words
to use against my mother
my words pierce her like swords
do i actually know what i say?
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