on pavement
black
she
would not
turn
back
to staunch
the flow
of blood
that down
her
leg
ran
deepest red
yet
as a
child
what power
can
we have
to staunch
a mother's
love
that
exacts
a cost
so great
that hours
were spent
in pain
and
panic
holding
flesh
to
flesh
a parent
now
I wonder
why
that day
she did
not just
turn back
and
break
her will
of iron
but
no
and
too late
now
the damage
done
to
her
beloved
son

08/18/2006

Posted on 08/17/2006
Copyright © 2025 Peter Humphreys