She Speaks Volumes Without A Word

she knows that I'm talking about her

my words ring cleanly inside her sharply wired 6-year-old coconut

her eyes shift around

as she schemes a way to edge herself into the occupied territory

guarded by the black heavy boots attached to my black heavy jeans

carelessly planted askew on the plot of soft comfortable sofa

that she claims as her dominion

she grasps my hand and pulls it up into the direction of the ceiling lamp sky

in her first attempt at fooling me by misdirection

a magician's feint

but I smile and do not take the bait

undeterred

she locks eyes with me in a rare moment of crystallized focus

and she exclaims in a loud pretty voice, "Chocolate is GOOD for you!"

now she loiters

bobbing and weaving

occasionally dropping to the carpet to execute a precise breakdance spin

punctuated by sing-songing chants of "Chocolate is GOOD for you!"

"Chocolate is GOOD for you!" "Chocolate is GOOD for you!"

watching closely to see if the light suddenly dawns upon my face

impelling me to get up and RUN with all abandon

to the half-demolished Easter baskets writhing on the kitchen counter

then… while I am distracted

she will triumphantly pounce upon the Mt. Everest of blankets and pillows

proudly proclaiming in silence that the couch is hers

but I know that she will allow me to come back

to partially submerge myself into the drowning pool of cushions

so that she can nestle her sleepy little head into the crook of my arm decorated by the tattooed dragon

and I will hide the pair of April rain tears that spring forth from my eyes

trickling down my sandpaper cheeks

tears caused by the intense pure radiance of her sweetness

and I will wonder when the day will come

when I am as smart as she is

so that I can show my love to others

by speaking volumes without a word