The What

I ask my brother one morning: Brother, what is the What?
the what?
the What.
God knows I have the cow.
Why do I need the What?
Only He knows why.
I leave.

I ask my sister one afternoon: Sister, what is the What?
the what?
the What.
why not
...the How?
...the Why?
...the When?
...the Who?
Surely more inquisitive than asking what is the What.
I leave.

I ask my father one evening: Father, what is the What?
the what?
The What.
Go ask your mother.
I leave.

I ask my mother after a dream: Mother, what is the What?
She didn't answer.
:Mother, what is the What?
Nothing.
:Mother, what is the What?!

I turn her around.
lifeless. cold.
and then I knew.

the What.
A thing. Unknown. Unseen.
Unforgiving.
the What.