a slow & silent descent
see to the children
make dinner, wash the
dishes, slide down down
doors shut, eyes closed
rain starts, stops, only
falls for me, only falls
on me, appliances hum
no one is breathing,
hollow comments,
formalities "it's raining
again," "I'm so tired"
sit in the drizzle watching
cars pass, digest the quiet
resting uneasy in the air,
a bland veil of solitude