“Is it a big surprise or little?” he asked,
In A Wonderment created in 36 years.

She, afraid under the least pressure would
Crack,
Makes a zippering gesture along her lips.

“Ah, come on, I’ve got one for you,
If you tell me first.”

“Not true, not true, you pretend you have
Something behind your back
And it’s an empty hand.

“There.
It’s a surprise.
It’s empty.”

Though she’s heard this a thousand time
Come
Out of his mouth,
It makes her giggle, unsurpressingly,
Nonetheless.
Charlene James-Duguid
Amissville, Virginia
11/15/18