open
she said
tempting the spoon
before the silent face

open
she said softly
peering into the empty eyes
the eyes that once so dearly loved her

the lips parted
spoon slipped in
food slowly swallowed

automatically

without a sound

empty now
she set the bowl aside
gently wiped the mouth
the mouth that once had said

I love you

she stooped
nestled fingers in the graying hair
inhaled the scent
of innocence

pressing lips
against her mother’s head
she kissed the child
she’d never had


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