My wild things (for Maurice, may he rest in peace)

R.I.P. Maurice Sendak.

My wild things no longer inhabit

An island available only

By boat

At night.

Now they gather for milk and cookies.

Now they share meals in the warmth

Of the house.

My wild things

Play card games and board games

And Scrabble and completely

Made-up games,

When they are not eating,

in air-conditioned coolth

At the sun-bared height

Of summer.

My wild things skip and slide

down the hall,

Leave their shoes in piles,

Or forget and track in mud

On the white tile floor

After the rain.

My wild things

Make life

More interesting.

They are not available only at night

By boat.