Conversation With a 5 Year-Old

First published in Ramshackle Review in December 2010

What’s that?

That’s mama’s belly button.

What’s wrong with it?

Nothing.

Why does it look like that?

Well, after mamas have babies…
Um, like when a balloon loses its air…
Or, uh…

Mama, did the doctor pull us out your belly button?

(smile) No.

How did we get out?

(think, think, think)

How did we get in?

(think, think, think)

Why-aren’t-we-in-any-of-the-pictures-from-when-you-and-daddy-got-married?

(think, think, think)
(silence)
(think some more)

(intense impatience)
Where did we come from?!?!

(think, think, think)

There’s an egg, some sperm and love…
(do over)
The wings of a dove…
(do over)
You were in the stardust, love – a twinkle in my eye.*

(pause)

Mama, if-god-created-all-people-and-god-is-Jesus-what-about-all-the-people-who-came-before-Jesus?

Sweetheart, mommy is falling asleep. Let’s talk about god in the morning.

WHY?!

Because we already talked about my belly button.

(furrowed brow, quizzical expression)
(pause)
(smooth, trusting eyes and smile)
K. ‘Night, mama.

Goodnight.
Sweet dreams.
I love you.

(kiss)

*Consider seriously before using this one. My boys all think they were in my eye before they were in my uterus.