“Holiday: Musings of My Mother Before I Left”

‘I just wanted the family to be together;

Whatever did go wrong?

Why are you out here in the cold, cold weather

Without even a coat on?

Can’t we have just one Thanksgiving week

Avoiding a big fight?

Let me call your father; he needs to speak.

He needs to set things right.

Don’t say those things about your dad

You don’t really hate him

Though I know when he gets mad

The future looks so grim.

Please don’t get into that car

Losing you is my biggest fear.

Come back to me; it’s not that far.

Can’t you see my tears?’