alone
on the cracked cement
stairstep
of an abandoned warehouse,
I close
my eyes against the sun's glare,
dismiss the gravel,
unruly weeds, btroken glass
underfoot,
pretend the warmth I feel
on my face
is a kind mother's kiss
of love and grace
as sunlight twinkles
on the edge
of a crushed pop can,
sifts through
the boughs of the only
tree
on this street,
flashes gold on the old
windshield
of a car that hasn't
ran
in a long time, and
I need to do
my homework,
get through some
housework,
get supper
for my little brother,
but after
the pink clouds go
dark
published in Nomad's Choir; First Place in Chicago Poets & Patrons 2017 Poetry
Contest, Chicago Category.
first published in Nomad’s Choir
also published in Chicago Poets & Patrons
©2016 Bonnie Manion