In the shadow behind the drapes,

heart aglow and beating,

living illustration of a lost

red charm.

Allergic to light,

he is happy when unnoticed.

Children talk about him.

Houseplants have faith in him.

The sun-soaked parents don’t believe.

The oysters were alive

when mother extracted

Her pearls.

It is in the dim hiding

places that being is born.

Frightened,

the children watch the feet

that peep out from under the drapes

shift.