Baby

When you've been bad.
When you let the sink run
while you brush your teeth.
Letting yourself forget
about the images
of those children begging
for what you're letting
run down the pipes. 
The television set
in the living room 
moving mouths 
on mute 

The mirror has 
toothpaste spatters
you don't wipe away.

I wouldn't let you 
go downstairs, get out into
the snow.Wouldn't let you
touch the radiator.

The radio is staticky,
I let you stand in front of the 
gaping refrigerator 
looking for grapes that weren't there.
The fruit stands
are closed for the season.

When you've been bad,
I let you go.
Hoping you will come back.