also published in The Joy of Poetry
Dad calls at 5 a.m.
“It may be today”
but yesterday she ate cherry pie
today I have an ob/gyn appointment 100 miles away
my blood pressure races
I beg the doctor “My mother is literally on her death bed.”
She frees me. No charge.
I get home in time, but Mom is not there
in bed. She wanders the house
turns up the heater on this warm March day
sits on the couch and pleasantly inquires
as if she has never met me
never met my sister-in-law
“Are you two sisters?”
Amy takes my hand to hush me
answers: “Yes, ma’am!”