the hour glass

when she dropped
the hour
glass, shattering
it on the floor
and the sand
poured out
she didn't think
that it was a portent
to what what
her life could
be, childless,
and living alone
at this age, still.
she didn't think
if only there was
someone here, this
might not have happened.
she thought none
of that, as she
took the broom
from the closet
and swept neatly
the grains of sand
into the dust pan.