Etch ‘n’ Sketch

mom told me about this toy
with a silver window placed
inside a red plastic box
with two white knobs.
she told me how a black line
glided across the window
as you turned the knobs.
i saw a young girl in a movie
turn this box upside down and shake
the sketch away.

i etch with safety pin, dried up pen tips;
sketch my life of pain:
right, past; left, present.

mom wishes she could turn me upside down and shake.