I Like That You Like Me

Note: After reading the final stanza of “If You Forget Me” by Pablo Neruda, I was inspired to write this poem, dedicated to my grandson, Kane, about a my favorite line, “my love feeds on your love,” but in a broader, platonic form.

I know

I shouldn’t care

What other people think

“Be yourself,”

We’re taught

But what if myself

Isn’t very good?

I worry about that

I’ve always worried about that

Because I want to be liked

And loved

Is that wrong?

So when you come to me

Reach for me

Want me

Call me

“Ga Ga”

“Ga Ga”

I feel

Authentically loved

Purely loved

Because

at 20 months

That’s the only kind of love

You’re capable of‍ ‍