mid-day, he flies home
all afternoon i cook hope
form: chicken divan

an old recipe
that i made for their visits
but i wrap up now

to console still-birth
and recall family presence
even when they’re gone

the youngest cries out
because she is daddy’s girl
his phone face is brave

girls devour hope
pile ice cream for dessert
before his mom dies

asleep beside him
she heard him calling her name
she could let go, rest

midnight he’ll be up
flying home faster in dreams
regret, remorse, grief

the only one there
as she brought in her last breath
his worst fear present

the youngest cries out
as his siblings fill the house
he’s a mama’s boy

without his mama
no brave phone face, only tears
life’s a rented dream