Chapters
by Caren Martineau
In the dark of the night
We visited the mariner’s home
To peek at the other side
She and I always saw the other side
It was a mother-daughter thing
A truth that stood firm
Until one March morning
When the strangers amassed
To wail and shake
A vibration 500 strong
Taking what he abandoned
Relieved and unencumbered
He boarded the bus
As if her death never occurred
While the rest of us dispersed
Like dandelion seeds
To seek comfort from others
And pretend he cared
Right up until the very end