Table Setting

 

To eat on my own at four

I sat down for breakfast with my parents.

Before we prayed, I looked around

and saw the other empty chairs.

Father placed the fork on my left hand

He said that was where it should be

On his face was drawn the sweetest

smile for his only child.

 

And that was years ago

For when mother called for breakfast

I set the table for five

My brothers eased themselves on

their seats

with their naughty giggles

I held my fork at the wrong hand

but no one noticed!

How crowded and tight it seemed!

I wanted my brothers to settle,

sit still or just to go away

they have left no space

the things that were mine

vanished; as the once empty chairs.

 

A can of tuna served as my breakfast

Quiet, still and alone.

In prayer, I remembered

Being allowed

To eat my own at four

for breakfast

that crisp laughter which filled our house

my constant struggles.

I’ve missed a lot,

being here

Them.

There.

Together.

Tags: april, narrative poem, poetry, table setting