I try to wash her face
but there are no wash cloths
and when I find one
she shrieks
because she’s using them all
as blankets
for her bath toys
I ask politely
and she responds
with an order
buy more washcloths
I explain that
we don’t just
buy more stuff
and that things cost money
she thinks about this
for a moment
and then orders me to
buy more money
which makes me
feel like I have ruined
her character
and I try to recall
that funny author
who writes wise books
for parents
but all I remember
is something about being
responsible to our kids
not for them
which makes me
feel worse
I look despairingly
at my two-year-old
as I solemnly plan
our next month
of austerities
and then she yells happily
wake up ev-ee-body
and swipes all the toys
into the bath
that had been “sleeping”
in a row
under our washcloths
on the side of the tub
she hands me the washcloths
and says proudly
I buy them
for you, mama
and I suddenly remember
the part in that book
where she says
don’t give them everything
they ask for but
also remember
fruit spoils when you
forget about it
not when you love it
too much.