under ashtray sky
begging for your hugs
you left me to cry
pants heavy with dung

but the clouds seemed to part
from your majesty
as you plucked dirt from the heart
of the lake's stream
massive hands offering
a patch of safety
I followed my siblings
on dirt lacking green

it served as our home

stars
the backdrop of your
lonely
shining eyes and radiant face
your warm hands giving comfort
in the wide basin you made our home

thought it was quiet
we could swim over your hands as though
there were fishes for days
as your palm lines
defined the summer's grave

on that island of Earth wet
we toiled and sprinkled
gardens without seeds
your every smile satisfying

but the cakes grew stale
the cookies lacked butter
we all liked the light
but you know, Mother,
the shine robbed our rest

through our pleading
you grew gray
a tear drop trailing
down a cheek that turned to stone
our warm mom
diligently left us alone

no matter the day
when sun left us night
your kindness you gave
stayed locked, no sight
that you'd ever change
from that somber shame
that tilted your head
and made rock of your name

I feared you dead
and begged for your waking
your firm clasped hands
couldn't feed you while we're taking
all you had to give
through tears I asked if you could live

brother he swam long
reaching your fingers
sister called you wrong
trapping us in your features
and of all the things
to break that stone
her petulance
broke you out of that zone
of petrified resilience

with anger
you brought us down
to touch true land
the sky sighed hot
our feet got burned
your radiance lost
we had to run to learn
how to live without you

between hunting for brother
and meeting sis's friends
I looked back, found you eating
like Jupiter devoured by his dad
that Goya hunger lost with a smile
the second I asked
if you felt cold or tired

and for all I tried to help
I couldn't be my mother's dad
when I was far looking back
your slump dropped tears on your palms
a needle poke, not sowing,
the wounds of your heart

don't be sad you couldn't carry
our whole world in your hands