for as long as i can remember
the children cried
the pots
seared
and the tea
boiled
for as long as i can remember
the breeze was outside
while the smoke was in
i’d swat
at the flies
i’d ruffle the bed
i’d wait
i’d cry
while the children
slept, i’d pause
again for the hour
to pass, for the clock
to stop making me
its little hand.
–Amanda Kimmerly
Polished Pear Creative Editing 