little magicians
for Jhordan
My father says
I used to pout by the front door
with my full moon face
crumpled in my hands
after my favorite cousin’s inevitable
goodbyes. But all I remember is
conjuring the Sahara
in our orange hallways & together
trekking across those impossible sands.
During tea parties, we sparkled
pink lemonade until our silver cups
brimmed with rose tea.
We made omelets with
American cheese sliced into smaller shapes
& gaped as forgotten plastic
tagged along for the ride. & then
we grew up, but this, for some reason,
I can’t remember at all.
Noreen Ocampo (she/her) is a Filipina American writer and poet based in metro-Atlanta. She studies English, film, and media at Emory University and currently writes for COUNTERCLOCK and {m}aganda magazine. She is also a regular contributor for Marías at Sampaguitas. Say hi on Twitter @maybenoreen!