i don’t want to be cute!
i hate being adorable!
when you want to
have muscles
and body hair
and drive a car
this
is,
to
a boy of six
with
three older brothers—
a curse.
the curse of
cuteness.
ok,
what do you
want to be?
with no hesitation,
all gumption and
flash,
the reply:
scary!
i laugh, and quickly try
to stifle it—
because he really means
it
and
because
i do
get what he’s saying—
he wants to be taken seriously
around here,
a mustachioed man/ninja/t-rex
to be reckoned with,
even if i do still
help him
to put on his belt
and slick down the
cowlick
on the back of his
head.
i nod,
as somber and intent
as if i am making
a most grave and
solemn vow.
but
just between you and
me—
he’s still so cute
it’s
scary.
© 2014 Jennifer
Wagner
shared at poets
united poetry pantry