Disarmed

Wendy Videlock

I should be diligent and firm,

I know I should, and frowning, too;

again you’ve failed to clean your room.

Not only that, the evidence

of midnight theft is in your bed—

cracked peanut shells and m&m’s

are crumbled where you rest your head,

and just above, the windowsill

is crowded with a green giraffe

(who’s peering through your telescope),

some dominoes, and half a glass

of orange juice. You hungry child,

how could I be uncharmed by this,

your secret world, your happy mess?