Elephants
While gluing buttons
onto my paper
plate hat,
Teacher announces
“In the Festival
no one
will walk alone,
but instead
in pairs.”
A smile
grew across
my face, as I
glance towards
a messy haired boy.
My cheeks flush
and I turn away quickly
before he notices
my crimson face.
A phone call.
My aunt’s voice
fills my ears
as she presents
alternative plans.
She speaks
of a magical place
where mice speak
and elephants fly
with a majestic castle
stretching towards the stars.
But the journey there
takes place
during my Festival.
My mother says
“I can’t
decide for you.”
I’d have
to choose
between a fantasy
world, and a boy
whose playful smirk
makes the pain of
falling
from the monkey bars
disappear.
My mom
calls my aunt
to inform her
of my decline.
I smile,
and daydream,
while eavesdropping
on their conversation.
The day of
the Festival
a certain boy,
with temporarily tamed hair,
helps me glue
a last minute ribbon
onto my paper
plate hat.
As I stride
along with him
I can’t help
but feel
that I am flying
higher
than any elephant
could ever
carry me.
