Domesticity

Everything still
everything serene
one sister’s hand on the other
encouraging her as she stirs

the bottle on the side
the cat hidden hoping
for a chance to lick the bowl
in the hand of the girl
whose sister encourages her
as she stirs

the painter
who lays pale brush strokes
on the cat in the sun
(the quiet cat hidden
waiting and hoping)
captures a moment
when everything is gentle and kind
easy and simple

before

the cake burns
the cat jumps
the bottle falls
smashes on the floor

Domesticity

in smithereens
all that comes after
comes after
comes

after