there are little things that as a child
you did
quirks that cling to you through adulthood
reminders

that life a one time had meaning
significance
the smallest things warranted attention
pretending to say ‘i love you’ by mouthing the words ‘olive juice’
was the most hopeful
and simultaneously deceitful thing you could do

say it with me now
in front of a mirror
if you have to

peas and olivejuice