Oscar
by Mikela Bjork

Children are resilient
we remind ourselves often
so that we don’t hurt ourselves
for the things we think
or say
or (don’t) do.

Bye, mama
he says every morning
with a wave and a smile
blonde tendrils swirling
blue eyes sparkling

Bye, baby
I sing back as I breathe him in
eye to eye
nose to nose
freckles to freckles
your father is a wounded man
I will die an early death absorbing his pain

Eat your crunchy carrots
be kind to yourself and others
I love you.



 

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