CHILD REFUSING SLEEP

casually hoists sheep
pattern footie pajamas
up over the crib
railing and rallies after
sustaining minor injuries,
throwing out the stay-at-home
date night agenda,
whining between wine
glasses many ounces full,
examining tortilla chips,
oohing, mewing tacos want,
thumbing them to crumbs
when told they’re nachos
and they’re not for you.

Thomas Mixon is not Tom Mix, though sometimes composts his fan mail, or bulky offers for Current Resident, was called Tommy Tomato for years on the bus, and has writing in EVENT, San Pedro River Review, Channel, and elsewhere.