zero

Waiting in my sleep, waiting

for something more than salty-sweet
taste buds to dance together
without a mahram.

Longer than waiting for wisdom teeth
or for paper cut scabs to heal-
it's more than waiting for henna
to fade from sweaty palms
or red lollipops to shrink in mouths
(for the bubble gum inside).

More than waiting for a plate of rice
and chicken soup to stop twirling in the microwave.
or for snow to build
a defunct snowman without a head.

Waiting, waiting,
Zero is so sad.