diaspora

there is no future tense in Sicilian
maybe this is why my mother
grabbed everything she could
in each moment why she used
both hands why she didn’t care
who she harmed as she made
sure she got hers no that’s not
right it’s not that she didn’t care
about hurting others the truth
is that she never noticed them

there is not much future left in my
mother’s life her dementia causes
her to live in the present she is
grateful for everything and much
gentler and kinder than in the past
she no longer creates tension only
my not knowing how she will be
the next time we speak causes
any discomfort she feels is quickly
forgotten days no longer matter

Cinse Bonino
2024