graphic by brian jean
you’ve shown me that stuffed animals / are living things / i’m surprised i never gave you a name / but i was only 3 / when i got you / i didn’t have the language / to name your multitudes / and the truth is, at 22 / i still don’t / you aren’t an extension of me / because it wouldn’t be fair / to deny your wholeness / instead, you’ve molded me / kneading out what doesn’t serve me / baking into me a not-so-secret ingredient / (love) / i hope you know how much / i love you / i’m sure you do / because you’re so worn and tattered / having survived / The Toilet Flushing Incident of 2005 / i can see my love for you right on your nose / a heart-shaped birthmark / that wasn’t there / when mami bought you / maybe i should wash you more / but i’m afraid / afraid of washing away the memories / all the dreams (and nightmares) i’ve hugged into you / while i’ve slept / when i see bunnies hopping outside / i know it’s a good sign / i know it’s good luck / because at the end of the day / i come home to you / i prepare for your eventual passing / getting bunny tattoos / where others will touch me, hold me / in the same ways you have / but let’s not be morbid / i want to celebrate you / pretend every day is your birthday / because i don’t know when you were born, after all / you deserve all the love, every speck of it / and you’ve shown me i deserve it too.