You don’t know how to tell us what’s wrong
so you scream until the lightbulbs shake.
We have to teach you how to talk.
We have to teach you ABCs.
We have to teach you the difference
between satsuma and tangerine.
We have to teach you all the dog breeds.
We have to teach you metaphors are paint brushes
and similes are like metaphors.
We have to teach you where people go.
We have to teach you about space
and the importance of having it and giving it.
We have to teach you how to say Pringles.
We have to teach you to take it easy on yourself.
We have to teach you
that we don’t know what we’re doing.

© Carl Burkitt 2021