the baby’s still sleeping

after all the preparation and footsteps

and conversations and last minute warnings and advice

i’ve kissed him goodbye

and wouldn’t let him go

i teased him for a smile

and threw my shoes on to catch a kiss from my daughter

but the bus drove on

and she never looked back

so I’m a bit of alone

without the noises to fill my synapses

without the cries for mamam

and the fretted movements to find and deliver

it’s quiet

but now i’m left to missing them

and their bustle, their need

for me

my kind of peaceful

is them

• Tags: poem