Let’s unwind the world a little
for you and the curly haired girl
in your class. For your parents, your aunts,
your cousins and neighbors, for the tan and white
dog that comes to everyone’s door. For me.
Let’s count firetrucks at night and mallard ducks
in the afternoon. Let’s step on sidewalk cracks
and know that harm will never notice. She’s
overtired and hasn’t even put away her toys.
Let’s put together puzzles with sunlight
on the wooden living room floor
without waking the cat who sleeps in the way.
Let’s unwind the world and fit it into a story
we can read before bed. One where the wolf
and the spinning tiger are only there
to help us get home.
