A Party of Five Becomes Two
…..
I miss the thump of their footsteps on stairs-
each of them different, like songs sung
from the soles of their feet.
….
I would now welcome his belch at the dinner table,
little sister protesting,
a new rule emerging,
“One and done!”
…..
I know who was most likely
to use the last of the shredded cheddar,
an irritant I’d embrace today.
…..
Siblings fighting over the remote control,
or whose turn to do dishes,
garnering them the nicknames of
“Frick and Frack.”
….
Mostly I crave the sound
of their laughter,
belly-full,
the echoes of sunshine.
…..
And dancing in the kitchen
feet thunking against tile,
hands pumping in the air,
clapping a rhythm so sweet,
it hurts.
….
This poem is from the Around the Bend by Colleen Wells (Finishing Line Press), and can be found at https://www.finishinglinepress.com/product/around-the-bend-by-colleen-wells/
Colleen Wells writes poetry and creative nonfiction. She believes writing is a healing force and aspires to help others feel more empowered to share their stories. She is the author of Dinner with Doppelgangers – A True Story of Madness & Recovery, and Animal Magnetism a poetry chapbook. Colleen’s work has appeared in Gyroscope Review, NUVO, The RavensPerch, Rockvale Review, The Potomac Review, and The Voices Projectamong other publications. Themes reflected in her writing include mental illness, empty nest, the elderly, and the environment.
The Paddock Review 