constructing poetry

for Rachel, again

her baby—
the one who will be born
in a month or two,
will never know a mother
with binocular vision.
he will look into
his mother’s face
and know her left side
will not perceive him,
by the slight cast
that shows where she
no longer focuses true.

it’s a cautionary tale—
like the one about running
with scissors or carrying a pencil
in the pocket while
playing basketball.
we call it: go to the doctor
with the first taint of infection
before the sinus cavity
is so full of ickkiness
that it detaches a retina.

the world is full
of things she does—
driving, and playing the piano
and reading to her children—
but there are little things
she misses, now.
like pouring a glass of milk,
right, the first time,
or catching some wisp
of flying food
launched from some
future high chair.

Prompt for: May 14, 2016 ▼

Subject or Theme: Sight or lack there of: physically, mentally...either/both
Word(s) to Include: wisp, taint (or any derivatives of these words)
Forbidden Word(s): eyes, see, sight, blind (or any derivatives, compound or hyphenations of these words)
Additional Parameters: 28 lines, non rhyming.
Remember, do not use forbidden words ANYWHERE, including title or the brief description.