This morning he came back-pounding

on my chest-frantic

for me to hear him

to let him out

to let him in.

.

He was in earnest,

desperate to tell me something-

dreadful.

.

So much he had to say about the days

past, present

and future.

About mistakes and missteps and things

and how they should have

could have

been.

About what went wrong

all the while

beating that song

with his insistent drum

into my chest.

.

He had to tell me

he had to say

what must be done

today.

Preemptive measures to

preempt any future displeasures

.

His hammering

so persuasive

I thought-

briefly-

I considered letting him in.

Perhaps he could warn me

help me

prevent some distant but impending

disaster.

.

So I sat

by the window

coffee in hand

and thought.

.

Until the little one came

to disrupt my moment

and said,

“The bunnies think the snow is ice cream.”

and asked,

“Can you make turkey pancakes?”

.

There in an instant

all became clear

And I made my decision

.

Taking a deep breath

I sent my friend away.

There is no place for him

in a world of ice cream snow

and turkey pancakes.