We knew Mom needed a 24/7 caregiver
when she set off the smoke alarm after
placing tinfoil in her microwave, never
seeing the flare of flame nor hearing
the machine's buzz, not even smelling
the burnt toast smoldering in ashes,
never hearing the blare of her security
alarm nor that agency's phone call.
It was only when several rubber-suited
firemen burst through her front door
Mom finally looked up from her T.V.,
incredulous at the sudden commotion.
first published in Pegasus
©2011 Bonnie Manion