A Mother's Lament

Light bulbs blew in room after room

while the houseplants withered and

died. I closed the window blinds

against the summer sun.

But I couldn’t block out the sounds

of the neighbors’ children. Their squealing

laughter interrupted my mid-day sleep,

and the high-pitched peals shattered

my glass dreams of holding tight

your small, live body.

© Ami Mattison

For G-Man's Friday Flash 55


Photo courtesy of cheishichiyo