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?
