Baby Blues

BABY BLUES

Look at me my

dark scarlet heart disguised in pink

I am Look! At! Me!

Oh I'm the pure blue force of Want

howling through thin walls

like a prairie wind.

I am so large and empty

Why do the cheerios stick to the backs of my hands?

When I push the bear through the bars,

Why is it gone? I want that bear.

I want

Oh listen, the jingleshudder of ears getting up

the dog! Oh comecomecomecomecomecomecomecome

gone.

I want that dog.

Oh keep your pastel colours.

Boredom is a purple need. Hunger is vermillion.

I want my dark blue heaven milk mothermother

but the minute I fall into darkness she puts me down.

They do, they put you down. The big ones

only want one thing: to leave you alone.

You have to stay awake, see.

The big ones are my shepherd and I shall want

with the pure blue force

of a howling wind I want

the dog the bear the milk I want

every cheerio that fell on the floor I want

the brightest colours

all pressed hard against my gums

I want

the world

and it will not fit

in my mouth.

Poem by Barbara Kingsolver, baby by Laura.