And she tucks me in at night.

 

I used to hear her

in the air,

whispers, whispers

bouncing around

my skull

reminders that

I would never be alone

 

but one day she stopped them

reminding me that her love

is a gust of wind

to come and linger,

and when she is away

reminiscences of her stay soft like a breeze

 

and she tucks me in at night

 

I remember chocolate cherries

and young bones

not yet ready to be altered

they are now older

and the popping

is a more reassuring sound

 

and she tucks me in at night

 

the smell of cream and sugar

always lingered

faint, soft morning breaths

the milk is no longer as sweet

I go without

the familiar taste now lingers on my breath.

 

and she tucks me in at night

 

the mannerisms are sewn into

the maternal patches left on my

skin from childhood,

her love settled into my bones

she is all of me

 

and she tucks me in at night.