011115   011124

A mash-up of pandemonium 
the child care room at the workout club is open daytime hours
the attendant is high school young or an undergrad and has
a remarkable nature with knots of kids
some are wailing like sirens 
others scream murderous joy in her face.
Most of her customers go inside without a fuss
there’s a television, bouncy gym, chairs, mats, her ponytail.
Boys and girls between 3 and 7 years old 
run to the kids room door and disappear
without a turnaround or wave goodbye.
Her shortest clients
toddlers too small to get at the doorknob
run up to it on tip-toes and wait
she welcomes each new guest into the common sense-piercing
triumph of chaos and glee.