I must sound spoiled and petulant,
"Bring my toys! Play!" Do this and do that.
Play this game of weighing the world.
The rules are our own.
Where is the one who laughs knowingly
and ends the game,
lifting the child, saying,
"Come with me. It's time for bed."
I kick and complain.
I revel in this secret joy everyone knows.
As long as this one holds me I belong.
She rocks and my world rocks too.
The games slip, bits of memory,
into comforting dreams.
Copyright 2007 Todd Mertz