Maddie, age 9

poem

Maddie, age 9
and I 
share popcorn 
over the last 10 minutes
of the series finale of And Just Like That 
in between sips of Capri Sun 
this kid says 
“hey, isn’t she the girl from Hocus Pocus?”
and giggles at my misty eyes
“did a Sanderson sister make you cry?”

I, half choking 
on her kernels of truth 
remind her she’s
just a silly baby
“clearly it’s my damn allergies,
ain’t nobody crying!”
(a lie)

“but you’re right 
about her being a Sanderson sister 
only now she’s Carrie Bradshaw
and just like your stupid aunt
25 years later
Carrie is still single in the city.”

the next afternoon 
paddling on our boards 
somewhere out on the shore 
with the spirit of Springsteen 
pumping through her 
garden state heart  
Maddie looks over 
and says 
“you shouldn’t be sad 
cause you and that Carrie lady 
end up alone.
you’re the fun aunt 
because you don’t have any kids.”