To Twist One's Thumb

A million times she’s told me
To keep that window blind closed
She blames it on the neighbors
And how they might see in
And see me changing
And I look at her and think
Maybe I want them to see me
Changing because I know that
That would twist your thumb
Without even touching you
And so that window blind speaks
To me and says how it hopes I’ll
Keep it open, convincing me with
Words like sunlight and rebellion
And twirling its cord around in a
Game of hide-and-seek hoping
That I’ll give up until my mother
Twists my thumb with bringing
Velvet curtains into the picture
Thick enough to block out light.