My kids are playing
apartment.
Small paper doorbells and
3B on graph paper.
I jokingly ask
where the bathroom is
and pretend
to visit them as adults.
I see that Comic-Con
is happening
and Cosplay is still
a thing. Tickets
are still on
sale.
I know that
in Gaza
there is starvation
death
destruction
and I wonder
what would happen
if their imaginary apartments
were next
under the
wrecking ball of
bombs.
Heidi Allum
Blog
Playing Apartment
6 responses to “Playing Apartment”
-
The juxtaposition of children at play and under the siege of war is appropriately jarring. I was just thinking of the privilege I have this very day of choosing to wander about my house in pajamas and do whatever I want, without worrying about food, shelter, clean running water, safety. It’s also a good reminder to be a safe place for the children in my care at work, many of whom are newcomers from unsafe situations in their homelands. Thanks for the thoughtful post today.
-
My kids used to play travel agency when they were growing up. I’d always pretend to be going on a trip somewhere and they’d be booking me hotels and airplane tickets. Your kids playing apartment sounds fun.
Your poem is powerful! You think about all that’s happening around the world and recognize that privilege and safety feeling. Hard to reconcile the two worlds.
Heidi Allum 
Leave a comment