You are naked
except for a paper crown
and your shouting
which you wear
like a weapon
in this battle
to get
what you want
it isn’t like you
to yell
but you want to watch
Bob the Train
on my phone
and you shout
as loud as you can
it is precious to me
which might have made me laugh
except I didn’t sleep much
the night before
so I make
a stern face
do not
yell at me
and this makes you burst
into tears
and fling yourself
off the couch
and into my arms
as you tuck your hands
into my armpits
and sob on the side
of my neck
you begin to play with my hair
your breath slowing down
and I think
if only
it was this way
for everyone
like that man
running for the job
of most powerful person
in the world
he would yell and shout
but as soon
as he felt
he was hurting
someone
it would hurt him too
to yell
anymore
so he would soften
and slowly
find a quieter path
to peace.