Restless night
I woke up at 4
got up at 5
finished exercises at 6
left the house at 7
to go my studio
to get me through.      

     She slept in the park     
     till the rain came     
     then moved to the gazebo     
     with a concrete floor.

When our paths crossed at 7:10
I knew it was her from afar
bent over picking something up.

Every mother recognizes her child from afar.

Were our paths meant to cross? I asked,
as I rolled down the window.     

     She looked up, smiled     
     walked over, slow     
     got in, aching      
     crammed in her backpack     
     I didn’t sleep so good, she said.

This has to stop, please
let me take you to detox.       

     I’ve never felt this bad, she said     
     I didn’t sleep so good.  

It’s only going to get worse, I said 
unless you make a change
let me take you to detox.     

     I’m hungry, she said.     
     can we get donuts first?