I go where you go, but I never see light, I wrap what you hide and I cling pretty tight. I’m silent, elastic, and stitched to obey, but flash me in public and folks look away.

I nap on the job and still take the raise. I parent with grunts and affectionless praise. I drink like it’s sacred, I bribe with a snack- then scream D’oh! at the child I forgot to bring back.

I’m always dropping down under the table, then everyone tries to pick me up. They want me to clean up what should have been swallowed. But the more they make me lap up. . . the dirtier I feel.

You walk in dirty like I’m not already sick of it. You press me flat and call it welcome. You never thank me. You never even look. And you think I’ll stay here forever?

There are words galore, but before was was was was was what before?