Watch her place an arm
reluctantly
into a coat sleeve,
chilly outside she says
we know she’ll be away all night
with the waitress job
has to do it since dad got sick,
too much booze, again.
She brings food to the table
with the paycheck arriving end
of the week
five children and a husband
depending on her.
Tears close her eyes momentarily,
have to go now, she says
kisses her little darlings then we look
at each other
me the oldest and wanting to cry
don’t go momma
but she has to and I give one
more hug.
© Richard L. Provencher
First published December 2010
Caduceus, Poets at Art Place 8
Yale University, New Haven, CT
ISBN 978-0-9752554-9-0
Comments
skinner_jennifer | December 11, 2010 - 15:59
This is such a sad poem, sad because even today it
probably rings true.
Thanks for the read.
Jenny.
Highhat | December 11, 2010 - 16:22
Yes a sad poem.
;)Pia
Richard L. Prov... | December 19, 2010 - 00:37
Thank you, Jenny and ;)Pia. Since I am at the outer edge of my life AT 68, memories come flooding back and it is a valuable exercise to remember days when I was ten years old, the man of the house with dad still affected by the ravages of WW 11. I relish remembering because my stroke did savage some of my important memories. Yet in spite of the sadness, goodness came into my life, and I decided to work in community services in many aspects--welfare, housing, youth work and elders for 22 years. I am retired now and life is still a joy. Richard LP.
Highhat | December 19, 2010 - 00:54
Your comment was a joy to read Richard. I'm so glad that you shared some of your life with me (us) Thank you
;)Pia