“Coming!” I would have said promptly,

“Coming!” I would have said
promptly, had I not
been called so long ago, years away in a precise day

Had I not
wandered off or
rather strayed without leaving the house;

Many times, many times or
rather
once I denied.

But always
years ahead and every day
with smiles from blows and thanks for tears:
I have with stable voice
and clear pronouncing lips
in simple words of unknown strength

“Yes!” I said promptly
ever asserting more than I gathered was being asked –

“Let it be” I said and
it was not my voice.