Here lies the place I once whispered prayers.

Now I lay you down to sleep
You never woke up again
I pray the Lord your soul to keep
“She’s in a better place”
For if you die before you wake
You did die, while I slept
I pray the Lord your soul to take
Why God? Why take my baby?

Bare walls accuse me
“You should have saved her”
“You could have saved her”
“She deserved a better Mother”

I pluck a strand of her hair from the carpet
I can’t stop weeping
I can’t stop keening
I can’t stop wanting to hold her.

© Milan Lopes