A Little Before We Sleep

In this minute of make-
believe, I can show you
anything. A bird touches
wall you can touch, turns
to dog, spider, cat. You follow
the shapes my hands
awkwardly make: snake
sliding down the door,
your small certain head
bobbing up and down.
A fish swims just below
your ear, hair clinging
above it with sweat. Softly
air blows through; I count
them to slow time down.
In this minute, I am there
with you, in that space
nature makes us forget--
my own mother flapping
her wings, my giant bird yet.

By Vyxz Vasquez