The Slow-Cooked Sentence

Similarities between boy and bug

Rachael Conlin Levy

Wings spread,

wobbling on air,

they start, dart, stop, drop, then

smack wall. Unicyclists,

just hatched.

Pansy.

Ivan and viola, 2011.

I check my watch — 5:08 p.m. — a respectable time to open the bottle and pour a glass of spring that tastes of mangoes and grass, is filled with the flutter of Mayflies and of bruised twilight. The bridge of my foot aches from having a wooden stool tossed on it, the outrage manifested during the daily tantrum that proceeds the nap. My 3-year-old screamed for 15 minutes straight. He threw himself on the ground, arched his back like a comma and thrashed back and forth like the grubs I unearthed as we planted flowers earlier in the day. Look, I commanded, and pointed to a bug no bigger than my eyelash, and watched as it jerked about, then rolled itself into a moldy spiral bun. Exhausted, maybe. My own grub, worn out by his exertions, drew a ragged breath and curled into my arms, heavy and spent. I question whether the tantrum is worth the 45-minute nap. I know it is worth the glass of wine.



5 responses to “Similarities between boy and bug”

  1. anno says:

    I know it is worth the glass of wine.

    And possibly another…

    For Unicyclists,/ just hatched, , many thanks.

  2. Andrea says:

    I love this: “Unicyclists,/just hatched”

    Ugh, I remember those days…we all gave up on naps very early (well before 3…you’re doing well!)

  3. Rachael says:

    Anno, you are welcome. The next time I watch my 9-year-olds at unicycling club, I must bring my camera. Thirty-five children tottering about on single wheels is quite a sight.

  4. kyndale says:

    I remember those days with Eli. It’s painful to remember. We used to drive out to the burro rescue towards Pyramid every day. I just needed a little peace and quiet. That drive gave it to me for 45 minutes. The money I spent on gas was worth it but maybe I just needed to open up a bottle of wine!?

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