He never wanted kids
too much work
He chose to make the best of
long weekends
eat well
relish a calendar
void of birthdays
soccer
dental work
Now with eyes going dim
and back a knife
in his ribs
the single mother
next door
lights the last fire
He cannot sleep
for fear that her
child will be hurt
A tree gone red
shines in color
when leaves
die
but linger a moment
before falling
into the wind
