Strength
One,
the monitor beeped
then flat; this
was after he
regurgitated purple
blood over her
white dress.
Two,
the ride home
eight hours in a
car with her son’s
cadaver. the bumpy
roads made her white
hair hit the ceiling
more than
once
Three,
at a back pew, her
grandson’s eulogy
for a dead dad
and an unspoken
goodbye. she shuffled
out, after everyone
left.
all,
no words, no
tears. a dim
joke to ease,
a smile with
broken teeth,
child unseen,
no more the
care, the late
night talks,
early jogs.
next day,
she opened
her store
and smiled
at little
boys who
bought
candies —
but deep inside
was she with
her son, dead?
————–
CARD DRAWN:
VIII – STRENGTH
THIS IS THE TAROT CHALLENGE, a 78-day writing challenge where everyday I pick out a random card from my tarot deck and write something about, against, inspired by, based on the card by the day’s end. The works can range from poetry to fiction to drama. When the card is from the major arcana, the title of the work should be the card name. When the card is from the minor arcana, the title can be different but the card drawn should be revealed at the end.
