small talk
she sat at the end of the couch
how are the pillows he asked
I fluffed them just for you
she laughed knowing full well
he did nothing of the sort
replied with something amusing
from the kitchen I was listening
working up the courage
to walk back into the fray
meanwhile upstairs
my mother was quietly dying
and there was nothing I could do
may two thousand twenty-five
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heart-breaking.
thank you, margaret