Downstream
In bad dreams
my daughter fears
I’ve left her alone
in an airport
or on a city street
She cries for me
sleepy tears on my shoulder
face buried in my hair
arms tight around my neck
Don’t ever leave me, Mama
I dry her eyes
lift her arms
from my throat ready
to return to my own dreams
I would never leave you
How long
before her nightmare
of being left
becomes a daydream
of leaving
How long
before
I wish
I had
lingered