abscission

my mother’s eyes
separated by dementia
from pieces of information
adrift in her brain
look down
at the shoes
I sent to her
she gleefully enthuses
I love my shoes
each time

it’s a small gift
this ability to please her
on permanent repeat
one I was unable
to perfect
as a child
I have learned
to unwrap it
very carefully
each time

Cinse Bonino
2022