In a Sling on Mama’s Neck

At two years old, 

I sat in a sling 

on the back of Mama’s neck, 

cheeks stuffed with green apple Skittles.

Mama was working the subway car, 

peddling Kit-Kats and lollipops. 

But the faces in the car were too skinny,

the hands below the faces too heavy,

the fingers on the hands too shiny;

Mama was a good Mama,

          but my belly 

blurred her vision.