notes from a neglected fragrance

She would stop breathing for months on end, and then one day, she might start again for no apparent reason, pulling new air in and around the way a tree draws water from the earth. So, he knelt by her, touching her hand as she breathed. But, no, he didn't tell anyone. Not even ____ The walls started to pulse around them, each sound carried on something like a stream of water, through currents and tunnels, and I felt this regret for being alive like a weight on my chest…

He would stop breathing for months on end, and then one day, he might start again -for no apparent reason, pulling new air in and around the way a tree pulls water from the earth. She also knelt by him, touching his hand as he breathed.No, she didn't tell anyone. Not even me.

“Some days, I can't tell If my son told me why he's afraid of the dark, of bugs, and giant squash. What would I reply? That I am too? If he says his bedtime prayers to me, he should know I'll be there, and if I can't speak to his face, I will whisper to the chance he does not come home again. He's left me without a word, so I'll be doing penance for not protecting him. I'll never be the same. I see the fear in his eyes. He's just a little boy who needs to feel safe and loved. He'll never feel that way if I'm not here to say goodnight. He'll never be the same—”

I don't care. The sight of your mother, her face twisted in sorrow. And I, I am nothing but a mirror.

As you leave me, she begs you to stay.

The wreckage will always be with me. Stop!! I STOPI STOPwe STOPwe STOP I stand faceless to offer in a mute gesture. This poem.