PENANCE

 

 Clarissa

to watch her sleep is

         nirvana heaven profound

protruding lip pillowy soft and

round with finger in her mouth

old burp cloth hanging from

clutching fingers unwilling to

let go even at 10 years

peace, this is beauty, love

hair not quite black, not so brown

just hers scrunchably soft

stiffly curly that can do

things I cannot do to mine

commonly in that bun-do she updoes

most days defying interference from

a mother’s comb

did I say how I love the voice God gave to her?

         sotto voce is not for us

it changes with her mood ascending or

descending scales for anger giddiness joy

or despair the sound of confidence that it

drops her voice does drop demanding commanding

stop! I am speaking

to watch her sleep is

         nirvana heaven profound

to watch her live is life

Zeneida Disla

2015