13

He wears his shoulders higher
so much so mine no longer drape
and must climb a bit

while he gravels his voice
and places foot astride my shoe
apprising how soon

he'll be lord
though in practice
he manages his minion brother to distraction

in the frozen section at the market
the same spot I once leaned over
his feet dangling from the carrier

squirming at the cold
so the kind lady reached in
handed the box

to him, cooing, both
smiling
completely

unlike today, brothers bickering
like a murder
of crows