she was good with the basics

don't touch

that, your mother would say,

when you

poked a dead

bird

or rat

in the street

with the tip of your

sister's umbrella.

don't put that in your

mouth,

those

keys, a pen,

that knife with

peanut butter on 

the end.

give me those matches

and that

tube of glue.

now go wash your hands.

she was good with

the basics.