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Mae Mae

The father smiles good morning
A son six or so stares me down
I greet both with a cheery good morning
The boy replies by lowering his right hand
as if to pet an animal saying
Mae Mae again and again
He is Tyler a captive of perpetual childhood
and Mae Mae his pal
Dad smiles as I sit on my heels eye-to-eye
to say Do you love Mae Mae
His third word a loud - Yes
Dad whispers You know children
Beaming agreement I ask if
I may pat young Tyler on the head before parting
In the hotel lobby after breakfast we meet again
and young Tyler recognizes me
I join him to pat his imaginary dog
and I ask if Mae Mae had gotten breakfast too
Tyler's fourth proud word - Mae Mae - Eat


2007 F William Broome