[Woke]

Short breaths yet long and winded
Folks said we couldn't go til dinners finished
pshhh, even squash was squashed
Ate it all, from utensils to the cloth
Off to bed without a peep
didn't even have to be told to brush my teeth
I toss and turn until it's light
Anxiety controlled me through the night
After all, happiness is the goal
And as for this soul...Melting snow
Each step a speeding bullet towards the glow
Not a hue, but a beam illuminating our window
It contains a dream of dreams
From train casting out screams
To a nutcracker flailing bout free
If just for one cold winter day
Kids rule, grabbing gifts and flay
Wrapping paper tossed away
Parents here my screams and jostle wide awake
Ecstatic for the day but now it's clear
that for the rest of this entire year
My folks bought my love
paid for by their sweat and tears