by Jane Eliza

Created on: October 31, 2008

The Nanny

I wonder how you came to us.
Was it at the matriach's insistence
or did he hire you himself?

Were you chosen for your ability
to care for children
or to frighten them?

I wonder how you came to us.
Were you locally grown
or imported? From the city
perhaps: a future city
where violence is instilled
while childhood is yet unfinished.

Perhaps a degree in psychology
would help me understand;
would help me look through your eyes;
view things from your world.

Perhaps not.
Perhaps not a view I would want
to inhabit my head. The knowledge
is enough: the experience is there,
buried deep in memory.

I wonder how you came to us.
Did God look down from Heaven
and see children in need
of discipline and think
"I've got just the person!" ?

I wonder how.

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