Dearest Mama, I'M Okay

dearest mama it's been three days now but it seems a lifetime I'm sorry it had to be this way I really am I can only imagine you on a crescent moon lost in a crater, yelling at me mama I'm sorry a week ago I was playing hiding go seeks and hop scotch with kids my age, 11 now I'm playing for real I'm good, mama I really am I live in a cardboard box and use a tarp as a blanket when I sleep, I leave out a cup at my feet and passerby's leave loose change one time I got a dollar, mama I was so happy can you believe that Mama I was so happy I bought sweater and a pen from a thrift shop Mama I'm thinking I really am on the cardboard box I write poems strangers stop by and read with tears mama I'm good, I really am they say my writings good and they leave me some loose change these nickles and dimes add up mama let me tell you they add up right now I have food to eat and I give some of my poem money to the other street rats that's the lingo they use mama I'm street rat to you and them most of these ratties are cool none come close to my age and there are very few women I see they try giving me cigarettes and booze but I pass some try to befriend with their advances I just walk away sometimes even clutching my fist mama I'm good, mama I really am I just roll my eyes at them and they leave or I leave it's that simple mama I'm good one time a police looked at me questionably and I had to think fast on my feet yes officer, I'm waiting for my mom, I say and then point to a store across the street and they buy it every time mama I'm good yesterday I went into a hotel lobby walked in with an air of faith, and confidence told the front desk that my mom in room 101 and wants an extra blanket they gave one to me mama, can you believe that mama, what saps mama I'm good For good measure I even took a green apple and newspaper from the counter, again,what saps mama I'm good let me tell you some of the ratties chip in change money to stay overnight at a hotel they have invited me I might try it, especially to receive a warm shower I miss that mama the comforts of home mama I miss you so much and regret the heartbreak I'm bringing to you mama I'll be good, I promise as the black bears down river chase the both of us they say in life don't fret mama, I'll come home some day please get your feet wet love you mama, Paris Pachecho connie pachecho