oh sweet rookie!
darling little girl.
snuggling into my lap,
your full body unfurled.

your mama made you sit,
and suddenly you howled –
a theatrical flopping pain
onto me, flapping jowls

you rolled onto your back,
dead bugged with more whines,
to let both of us know –
in that moment you were mine.

we laughed in surprise,
of your manipulative play.
protesting the injustice!
of being made to stay.

to love and get butt scritches,
from your tante thanh.
who loves you and your mom,
in this year’s passing time,

love you, silly, sensitive rookie.