Alice

you are the protective shadow behind my children
asking little, keeping away lonliness and snakes
they call you 'our best pal'
fiercely beloved among the canines

we drive home in oppressive heat
empty, the house tricks me into hearing your footsteps
we walk through the rooms, senseless,
lonely, lost
we fall asleep midday
waking up confused, sweating
I bake cupcakes in a dreamstate,
forgetting to measure ingredients
my daughter sits in front of the fan
counting down until we can call the hospital for news
we will you back to life across the mountain to where you lie
bleeding, shaking, wounded
we hope that the sheer force of our collective grief
and love, can bring you back to your home.