that I broke something crystal
under the bed.
I imagined a castle
shattered by my own hasty hand.
I was afraid to look and
I didn't tell anyone.

Even though they scared me
I crawled down the ladder stairs
by myself.

I tried to get into the dark room
of iguanas and stars
where the boys watched a dragon movie,
but they didn't want someone in there
who cried over crystal
and worried that the reptile's cage
was too small.

We were in town for a wedding
and I don't remember
hearing
"in sickness and in health."
I guess the grown-ups didn't either.

We shatter things that are precious
and lock our little sisters
outside;
trap life in cages,
and hide beauty under beds
where it won't get broken.

But it does anyway.

I remember the day.