sensation stirs
within
a longing
inspiration
bittersweet
desire
to capture
see
reflect
share

become aware

before the bustle of toasted bagels
messy sesame seeds
foggy car windows
and the defrost setting
mixed with humid morning air
driving to the bus
stop

an eleven-year old boy
hair styled
with experimental gel
bangs stiff
but flopping
beneath the weight of a do
too long to hold
he’s too young
to know

me
mother
at least
knows
these things cannot be told
they must be
suggested
delicately

all so delicate

as he tells me
how fun it was
wrestling with the boys
punching as hard as they could
getting all their anger
out
laughing
sweating
hurting

then running off together
to jump fences
pick fresh mangos
and eat them
whole