band-aid

there's no quicker way
to ease a kid's tears
or a grown-up's worries
about an injury than
to put a band-aid on it.
it's as though the problem
by no longer being visible
no longer exists.
I know the bo-bo hasn't disappeared
and what caused it hasn't disappeared
and maybe it still aches or itches
but i still cheer up
at the sight of a band-aid.
There's a sense of protection -
that there will be no more hurt to the wound
as long as there's a band-aid on it.