Muddy Shoes

Benjamin, who had taken his shoes off the first time I asked, sat with his tiny legs crossed neatly on the carpet and sorted through his backpack. I could see how his hands did what he wanted and flipped papers over for his eyes to inspect. I saw that he could recognize right and wrong and proceed accordingly. Proceed quickly. Xander looked at the wall.

Blue-Eyed Boy

Draped over his spaceship

He has worn a dent in the cushions of my rockingchair

And consoles my adopted window frame

With tiny thumbprints I cannot erase