Photograph by Monique Rardin Richardson
A Child's Prayer
by Monique Rardin Richardson
I like the way the light of the
stove chases the darkness away
Mama can I stay?
How grandma has finger clippers
in the drawer by the television
and she files and trims mine, so they
aren’t sharp like yours
Mama can I stay?
The Chilean game show host in the
Zenith console speaks Spanish
and makes grandpa smile and laugh
Mama can I stay?
It's fun keeping an eye on his cigarette,
making sure when he tips over asleep and the ashes
fall, that I slowly slide it from his finger tips
Mama can I stay?
Crunchy oatmeal cookies are always on the counter,
next to the cow cookie jar and frosted flakes.
Mama can I stay?
Abuela lets me cuddle with her before I go to sleep
Mama, please,
can I stay?