My book

[sumbirdy]

AZA

Sometimes I will sit on my bed looking
Out the window to the field next to us
At the cows, black, white, together grazing
Not making a sound, not making a fuss
And my kitten, Aza, will sit by me.
She does whatever I do, mimicking
Another species, not her own, I see
It’ll have to do for her, following
A human around the house, not wanting
To be left behind, sleeping in my bed
Sitting on my lap, my book, she’s waiting
For me to notice her, to pet her head.
As we sit here looking out the window,
I am the only “mother” she will know.

[sumbirdy]

WAITING

On December 22, 2006 I arrived at the arrival gate at the airport. People were surrounding me, waiting to pick up loved ones for Christmas. There were people with signs, babies crying, people talking about gifts and shopping and how their families were. I paid attention to none of this. Though, my eyes were fixed to the gate. People crowded around me and pushed past me but I stayed in the same spot. “Excuse me, would you like to buy…” I shook my head. They should be here soon. They should be here now. I looked out the window. It was snowing, big lazy snowflakes. What if they had an accident? What if… Then they were there and the noise and joy of it all surrounded me. They were carrying bags and presents and the screaming baby. I rushed to meet them. My family was here.

[sumbirdy]

THE SNAKE

The snake slithers through the grass
Hissing at everything he may pass
Hissssss! Who’s there?
It’s only me in the tree! A pear.
Slithering, slithering, everywhere
He sees something and stops to stare.
Hissssss! What’s that?
Squeak! Squeak! It’s me, a rat!
Rattle! Rattle! Hissss! Hissss!
Mmmm…a dinner that I can’t miss.
Squeak! Cries the rat and runs away
You won’t be eating me today!