That Was Then...

First February entry in the Random Complexity Writing Challenge

232 words

Ode to a Burrito Baby

This time back then...

Dad was shoveling between blizzards.

They kept marching to our doorstep

one right after the other.

This time back then...

You were screaming, all wrapped

up in your binky like a burrito.

But

the nurses knew just what to do.

This time back then...

The doctor cut off

my meds...well, the strong ones, anyway.

And I had to make do

with codeine-laced Tylenol.

This time back then...

we brought you home from the hospital

and Daddy said, "Which way is up?"

and "Where's the 'off' button' on this thing?"

But you ignored him

and kept exercising those vocal chords.

Til your face turned scarlet, I might add.

This time back then...

you didn't know how to tell time,

and so you slept like a baby

(duh!)

during daylight hours,

and shrieked like a banshee

All

Night

Long.

This time back then...

Daddy would bundle you up

in your car seat,

and you'd go for a ride.

With Mr. Clown, dangling by one

thin piece of orange yarn hair.

Sweet slumbers.

This time back then...

I memorized the first three

Dr. Seuss books,

because you had so many

ear infections

you decided to stay up

with the Late, Late Show.

Madeline kept you company, too.

Two decades passed like

pages blown off a calendar

in a 1940s movie.

Where did all those days go?