April 10: A Simple Thirst

by allisonkujiraoka

They said he needed to wash before

taking a seat at the table.

He yearned for a sip from the cup.

It wasn’t a tough call for a kid.

It wasn’t fraught, though he thinks

it should have been

when doubt creeps in.

He conjures his younger self–

innocent, inquisitive

both follower and leader–

and with gratitude, he exhales.

He was innocent, yet wise enough

to quench a simple thirst.