Ignored
by my children
Especially
my daughter
Taken
for granted
Taking
up space

Living
unnoticed
My pain
front and center
Checking
off boxes
That never
erase

Knowing
she loves me
More
now than ever
My face
a reminder
Of greatness
long past

My voice
the last vestige
Of songs
sung together
A melody
silenced
When first
—became last

(The New Room: January, 2024)