Peekaboo

We play this game, you and I.
It's kind of reverse peekaboo.
It goes like this:
I make it totally clear - nonononononono I'm not here.
And I cautiously peek through my fingers to see if you've been convinced.
Yes, sweetheart. You're not here at all, as sure as you're standing there.
No, I'm not here at all, I say while I pull back one finger.
-Peekaboo!
I laugh and I cry and forget to hold another finger to my eye.
-Peekaboo!
I'm kind of not here you know, I maintain, half laughing, half warning you, checking to see if you will still have me.
-Peekaboo peekaboo peekaboo!
The terror of that situation shakes my hands loose, and we remain face to face, eyes infinite mirrors.
Oh! I'm not here after all.