Joanna Gilman Hyde

The Hawk Window Seat 9:30am

THE LAMENT OF A MOTHER

She stood above Us

at the gang plank

of Bluenose II

speaking captivatingly

with a tourist-boat smile

My Son kept asking questions

and I kept listening

shielding My Eyes with My Right Arm

against a hazy sun —

I was there to spend a last afternoon

with Peak before He moves to Haida Gwaii

and as We climbed up

to exit the hull

I lingered still

and still My Son was engaged —

He told Her He was leaving the next day —

They didn’t even have the chance

to exchange names

and We drove away

My Son and I

–

PART II

Peak went back

to invite The Crew

to a bonfire on the beach

but She wasn’t there —

“The important thing is

I tried”

–

THE JOY OF A MOTHER

Last Night I saw My Daughter

for the first time again

since She was nine or ten

snuggled back against

The Tomato-Coloured Couch

with Her Blondness down

around Her Face

and Her Smiling Lips

parting over Her Front-tooth Gap

She decided to keep