Jane Lives Alone

Jane wants to clean
the house, love it
in the sunshine.
Shout stop to her laughing
children bouncing balls
in the hallway.
Kiss her darling on the mouth
in the morning.

In a dairy on the corner
Jane plays a game with
the man behind the counter.
Tells him about Tom or Isaac
or her son who fell down
on the step and made bruises.

As well, she says,
there is a kick inside.
Kicks and quietness
that is the pattern
of my days these days.