Granny E
by the third
Monday
you will have
been gone
a year
and only
since September
has he been back
in the TV room
forced by an infected toe
in need of elevation
he’d been avoiding
your empty chair
as you well know
hasn’t moved
your stuff
too much
save a few pieces
he gave the girls
it’s hard, Granny,
it’s just hard
it takes him
forever
to get dressed
and make his way
but he does it
everyday
you’d be proud
and proud of the kids, too
they’ve kept going
even when
they didn’t wanna go
but bills have to be paid
somebody’s gotta fix supper
the clothes need laundering
the dog needs feeding
the mail has to go out
the grass needs shaving
the floor needs mopping
the calls need an answer
the trash has to go out
well, you know how it is
they just … stay busy
Scott’s doing ok
still cries when
that song comes on
the radio
and late at night
when we’ve all
gone to bed
he stays awake
with you
TL