forward

because my mother had seven kids,

she sort

of gave up

at some point.

after her husband found

a new honey pie.

she threw in the towel.

went back to work

and we were on our own.

a lord of the flies situation.

she'd get home

at three in the morning

from her waitress job

and line up a row of coins

for our lunches.

curled on the couch, her shiny

apron on,

her shoes on,

her hands clasped in what

looked like

prayer.

she'd mumble,.

be good in school today.

winking from the corner

of her eye.