The Big Bad Wolf
When the big bad wolf
showed up at your door,
he didn’t huff and he didn’t puff -
despite what the story might say
All he needed was time
He sat by patiently
as one by one the hairs
on your chinny chin chin turned gray
Bricks, you argued,
were the sturdiest choice
And, in retrospect, your hasty siblings
could hardly disagree
This house was built to last
through the strongest winds
But the crafty wolf
just waited for the rain
So vital, so refreshing
At first
But eventually, the first crack
in the mortar appeared
Hardly worth noticing
Then another. And still more
Home depreciation
is to be expected over the years,
we told ourselves
But all this time, the wolf
had been sharpening his claws
And now the chipping mortar
was easily scratched away
While we were sleeping,
the sly predator began dismantling
brick by brick
This one, your favorite teacher
This one, how the stove works
A pile of childhood memories
falls like sand through your fingers
This one, how to turn on the faucet
This one, how to tell time
This one, your brother’s name
Simple pleasures
Daily activities
Independence
Now just an open space
where a wall used to be
You’re left sitting in the remains,
What little the wolf has left you
Each day a little more of your house
crumbles into nothingness
And he never even had to puff
Written January 15, 2024
Featured image from www.reddit.com/r/Art/