You decided

 

I know now what you decided a week

ago. To be frank, I am amazed. Seek

help, of course, you should have been desperate,

should have screamed. It would’ve seemed appropriate.

You’ve got twice your age over yet to go.

You should not have been so gracious, thanked us

for our slight concern, grateful to lie indoors,

while we treated your sore with a bandade.

I’ve seen humans racked at this abyss, but

you…so young, soulless (so they say), are calm,

composed, placid, taking the little attentions

as though you did not deserve them. While

your rival gloats and your selfish daddy

pouts and frets, you lie quiet, in grandeur,

in state, dreaming a world apart and fade…

and fade…and flicker…and fade.

 

Copyright © 2002-08 Abigail Hilton