one day my daughter
will see more than a mother
(a human. with love.)

i wait for success
on bated breath, with each view
each forlorn fall leaf

if snow could save me
from all of this month’s stressors
i’d roll in its flakes

waiting for data
to save what’s left of our school
is waiting for death

finding a friendship

in such a hostile setting

(darkness closing in)

we spend isolated days
trying to understand each other
until days become lives

and in our brief time here
when our underbellies are exposed
we ache for cover; for warmth

yet the sky opens
to a slew of harsh acceptance:
hate is always easier.

fear feeds it like a parched wildfire
lit by an ignorant match;
we have met our match.

side by side, we watch each other fall
not trusting the canyon’s bridge
that could expose our freedom.