Linda McCloud

1
i won’t make a judgment
i am here with the objects waiting for
your baby to awaken
i try to read but the silent things distract
carpeting    empty furniture
the baby’s walker in the corner
his giraffe on wheels
when i look at the book i feel the order
when i look at the order i get flashes
highway    sunlight    wind
someone’s hair is blowing

2
it’s like me not to say anything
in nursery school i supervised
the lines at the wash bowls
i sponged off crumbs
i averted danger on the seesaw
i rinsed paint brushes
i was an inside-outside mommy
did as i was told    folded & named
never mentioning