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
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
—with a nod to Oasis
working on concocting a new cocktail
one that may give my life meaning
before it’s too late
that is to say
I don’t think we’re coming back next time
the positive & the negative
somewhat like good & evil
black & white
sugar & spice
& all the colors of the sky
juxtapositioning anything & everything
until the cows come mooing home
on the radio someone singing
where were you while we were getting high
the volume rising even higher
july two thousand twenty-three
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
jdubqca 