“In The Morning”

In the morning

   before I open my eyes

      I listen for her breath
         for sounds of her movement
            for her voice calling

In the morning

   before the alarm’s irritating bleat

      I open my eyes to darkness
         seeing no soft light filtering from the kitchen

            hearing no sounds for preparing First Breakfast

In the morning

   before I leave the warmth of quilts

      I pull clichés onto my psyche
         covering up my doubts

            with comforting words and phrases

In the morning

   before I build my protective walls

      I grieve
         the endless day free of responsibilities saddens me
            and sorrowful hours loom ahead

Copyright 2013 Elizabeth Abrams Chapman