American Breakfast

You smile watching your son

eat cereal in the growing morning rays.

You assure him it’s okay when

he’s too full to finish the bowl,

to just be more careful when pouring.

You keep him in the corner of your eye

while he brushes his teeth standing

on his tiptoes to see his reflection,

and you put the sack lunch you

made him the night before by

his light-up sneakers and

his bulletproof backpack.

Flash Issue 9