For Viola from Daddy

You often say, "Me happy!"
You say it with complete certainty and clarity.
You're so genuine. It was easy for you to figure it out.
You say it when the rest of us clearly aren't.
You might as well be saying, "I don't know why you four fuss all the time. I think everything's fine."

Where did you learn these words?
The four of us surely never said them.
If you were copying us you'd say:
"Me melodramatic"
"Me ultra fussy"
"Me perpetually unsatisfied"
"Me moody"

Sometimes you ask me too.
"Happy, Daddy?"
and I say, "Yes".
Though I don't say it with your conviction.

It's early in the morning.
It's my job to wake up your sisters, make breakfast, pack lunches, get them to school.
But this morning I don't. I let you all sleep as the school bell rings.
Today I decide I'd rather watch you and think about this,
and wonder if you will ever rub off on us.