She plunges into gloom.
Seems unlikely, no
impossible she will climb out.
Room insists
on blackened silence.
Even my stare
becomes a struggle.
Empty rocking chair
near open window
hoards morning light.
Her eyes lift
to beckoning glow.
Trembling lips
whisper on the edge
of my hearing.
She bids me sing.
I start to croon a favorite
words knot around
a tune real invented.
Her shoulders sway
like sparrow teetering
on naked branch.
She exhales a nasal hum.
Entangled words follow,
duet with raining tears.
For a moment she lifts
from hardscrabble state.
Our voices rest inside
a reverent pause.
She catches my eye.
We blink out window.
Unexpected bees
fly in and out of snapdragons
filling damp air
with their drone.
