Not Too Cold/Not Too Hot

Now, now Misha,
Do not fear the water.
Let’s pretend your toes
are a baby chickadee
and this basin a birdbath.
Not too cold. Not too hot.
Can you hear that little birdie
sing? So happy. So free.
Someday, Misha, we will be free.
We will go to America.
I will clean the houses of rich women
and sew beautiful clothes
for their daughters. We will find
a doctor to fix your legs. You will run
and play in the dirt. I will scrub away
the mud squished between your piggies.
And for the first time you will giggle—
For the first time it will tickle
as I wash your ten little toes.