That night I heard your voice br it woke me, br bolted through my body br like electricity does wet feet. br It was shocking, br I found myself br shivering in a cold sweat- br Unable to move to your side br for refuge, br my tongue went lifeless, br my lips sealed as if to kiss- br br I swear I tried to save you. br br The clock blurred in motion- br The night, hugged my insides so tightly br I fought to breathe. br br I sought to rationalize the moment, br to make sense of the flies br motionless in the air- br why my hands were so invisible. br br I rushed to your bedside br to find you br old and diseased- br I caressed your hand, br accepting the truth: br eventually, no matter how unfair br someday all mothers die- br even when there are torn hemlines br and broken children br in need of mending.