breaking-in the new glove

olive-oil the pocket.

rub the olive oil into the pocket
with a soft cloth.

oil the pocket, not the fingers.

move the fingers
in and out.

in and out.

in and out.
pull the thumb-tab.

don’t be afraid.

pull it out all the way.

move the fingers in and out.

press a baseball into the pocket

and close the fingers tightly around it.

tie the glove with twine
tie it up.

don’t use tape.

tie a knot —
the same knot as your sneakers.

clear a space
on the bedroom dresser
below the mirror

away from the spills
of the frantic kitchen.

it’s okay to pick it up.

feel it. smell it.
take a deep whiff.
breathe it in. 

don’t open it.

don’t open it.

don’t open it.

from the bed with your head

propped-up on the pillow
it makes a cool-blue
reflection in the mirror.

fight the closing eyelids.

darkness.

morning.

ready for school.

don’t open it.

it’s okay to pick it up.

nobody touch this!

leave it right here!
just like this!

home from school.
there it is.

don’t open it.

one day to go.
don't open it.

one more day.

one day to go.

Quequechan, c. 1952