(a tribute to Laura Numeroff and parents of toddlers everywhere)

If you give a toddler a hard-boiled egg,
She’ll want to see how far she can throw it.
When she sees you clean up the cracked eggshells,
She’ll want to throw it again “without it’s jacket.”

When you tell her the eggs need their “jackets” on so we can dye them,
She’ll want to know why we are going to kill the Easter eggs.
When you explain that “dyeing” is not the same as “dying,”
She’ll want to help.

She’ll drag over her red kitchen stool so she can see over the counter.
When you measure out the white vinegar to pour into the cup,
She will grab the cup out from under the pouring stream to look inside.
She will ask you why the cup is empty.

After you wipe up the spilled vinegar, she will ask you why…