Dreaded independence: Susan
Died this day four years ago --
Now bombs declare their dominion
Once again. Duffy again throbs.
Ben leans hard against my leg.
Jessica anxiously watches me
Creating competing sounds.
Duffy paws my leg
Wanting me to make it
Stop - this explosive
Ritual we endure again
'Til the powders gone.
There is nothing for it but
That and gathering here
Waiting while the sounds die
Down and Duffy's trembling
Stops. Ben moves away
And Jessica closes her
Eyes, tired of the fear
She felt. I lean back
In my chair at the end
And with my own eyes closed
See Susan lying downstairs
On the hospice bed sighing
The last of her life away in the
Silence following the sound
Of the bombs that died
Away with her last breath.
