VALE OF TEARS

“après moi le deluge”*

Who was it said that? I'll bet he didn't mean this.

I touched his shoulder and he let go.

He let go of the ‘phone.

He let go of the bottle.

He let go of his tears.

I replaced the ‘phone.

I removed the bottle and found two more;

I held him in my arms.

The moment everyone fears; yes, even me. A mother is a mother after all.

I held on to him as the flood waters rose.

He held on tight to me.

I was his lighthouse, his shelter in his vale of tears