It is a sudden thing
while the night is lamp
It is sudden
senseless
scattered
amidst fitful dreams
when the word for dark is lamp
as dawn collects light
a phone rings
in a gray rectangle
around the window shade
to announce the first day
without you

I should have been there, Momma....

when mourning came
Sudden

I should have been there
as you were for her--
feeble waving hand
as they carried her away
through the gray rectangle
of her twelve-year-old day

Morning always comes