Mom

she shows up every day
dress and high heels
walk down the hall
unsteady wavering
balance off
hips knees back sore
even though he only smiles
sometimes when she enters the room

she reads to him
her voice tired
english imperfect
hours fill up
even though he sleeps or
doesn’t seem to hear

she tells him the latest
about sons daughters
grandkids
even though he doesn’t
remember from the
morning to the afternoon

she feeds him
mashed potatoes
gravy
ground mystery meat
pale green broccoli
one slow spoonful at a time
even though he makes faces
for each bite

she kisses him goodbye
saying she has to go
home for night now
even though…