She answers the unheard other:
"I'm at the Queen E,"
Much too loudly for the space
Which is not truly cute enough
To have a nickname
Her mother, Hester, is rolling away now
Hester's throat is sore today,
Her knee appointment is next week
I know these things because
Too loudly was not a one-time thing
For her daughter on the phone
Hester likely goes by Hester only,
But this I do not know for sure.
The tree where the wheelchair was
Lights the linoleum with fairy spots
It's a lowest common denominator type
Of Christmas tree, ekeing out the title
Because they'll put it away next week
Leaving like Hester a gap in the seats.
My cousin, Leslie, we used to call her
Our Little Butterball when she was born
Up until the moment the nickname
Would cause psychological harm.
She looks just like her, this little girl
Who now sits in Hester's daughter's seat
Eyeing up the Christmas tree with babyjoy
Zeyneb got called now, and Jeanne.
Given the choice between English and French
Both answer "Oh, either is fine."
How precious, the gift of choice in the waiting room.
not truly cute enough!
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