morphine suspends the pain

my mother’s mind turns inward,

releases burrowed memories

confusing interiority with reality

knowing you were the catalyst

quiet gestures of contrition

the apology lodged in your throat

a new device / tool to play with

I struggle to set it up & confusion reigns

my mind gently cautions ‘Recalibrate!’

but frustration wins & I’m a mess

local flood warnings

post-Kerr County

probably perk up

more than a few heads

creating a new junk journal,

she cuts cardstock, sprinkles glitter

waits for the glue to dry on her fingers

slowly, peels away the layers

in the quiet hours, before the others awake,

she tends to greenery, commits a few dreams to paper

deadheads the dahlias, the geraniums, the begonias

unloads the dryer, makes the bed, eats a slice of buttered toast

and marvels at what one can accomplish in just a sliver of time

using husband’s conditioner, I shave my legs in the shower

out of moisturizer, I apply his sunscreen to my nakedness

seems I have nothing to offer him in return but my smile

condensation clouds our fairway view

bamboo curtains jangle in the summer breeze

my solitary morning readings & writings