Join me, Mama,
I say.
I will, my darling, till then why don’t you pick out some flowers for me?
I run and pick up a lily from the ground
The petals are fraying, the white is washed down
But holding steady, they don’t fall.
They sway to the sound,
Sway to my call.
And so, I run back, after her again
Watching as the strands of her hair fly quietly.
Come on Mama,
I say.
My voice echoes for a moment,
And, impatient,
I pull at the flower
The petals split and circle there, above her
She looks up- and for a while, she stares
I will, my darling, just wait for me there.