For my mother

I have heard that before an earthquake

Birds fly erratically

Small animals search frantically

For shelter or maybe open spaces

And when the rains come

Even our slow-witted tortoise will lift up her shell

And distractedly search for higher ground

And that day, you too didn’t rest

But as soon as the evening meal was done

pushed your frame

From dining room to

Bedroom and back again

To dining room

Until at last the river broke its banks

And the ground gave way

And you found yourself wordless

And now, after three long weeks

of mostly dreaming

You search for my face

And speak back with your own

Your smile matching my smile

but then your tears enticing mine

Because that is all you have left now

To tell of your sorrow

Of leaving me.

And all I can do

Is hold you in that hug

I’d promised you

Until everything is gone.