Feel Safe to Stay 11.7.2023

"Is she here today?"
"Not today," I replied.
"And she's home too sick to take any calls,"
I lied.
Out on the playground, counted
Each 8th grade kid
Breathing in and out for my child
The one missing
Tears hid
Perspective shifted going through the day
Every child needs love to feel safe
To stay
I couldn't be with my own kid
But could damn well be there for others
So show up I did
With the broken heart of a mother