Out Like a Lamb

Pot

There was this one day when you wore it on your head
playing toddler knight in fake cahoots with daddy fencer
and the handle, facing backward, swooped and waved -
I laughed so long it was a fine distraction from the battle.

How hard I scrubbed it after, preparing for a family supper
with countertops so clean my knife made mirrored cuts;
And it filled to brim with celery, carrots, chicken, stock
I dropped dough in heaping spoonfuls brought to boiling

Once we played it, with a pan, a bowl, two wooden spoons;
clanging complicated compositions, bringing down the house
the kitchen clock and fridge provided tick and hum applause
you ran happy, headlong into me - we hugged in celebration

Now it captures water where it leaks when rains are hard
and sits under a certain spot, its only purpose now to catch
intermittent drips and memories in metallic pings. I'm back.
I laugh, and stir the stew, and, smiling, hold my son again.




note ▼

April 16—Ordinary object(s)—explore the usual or unusual uses of ordinary objects