I listen to the woman next door
So attentive and careful
Too attentive to be a mother

And I consider a nanny
or a maid.

If she tires in teaching this awful child
the game, I will know
it’s a grandmother:

But 15 minutes in
I am doubting.
Then this girl
or boy
too young to know
is adding their spin:

Ready?
Go ahead. Go ahead.
Ready? Set.
No, I want to do it!

I am unsure whether it’s awful
to pay for play:
Particularly for them.

Then: car engines
and the birds return-
Quiet.