My Mother’s Eyes

My Mother’s Eyes

I began to notice

the way her eyes dimmed,

like candles burning out.

She smiled less,

laughed less,

but her hands still reached for us,

still tucked us into bed,

still tried to build safety from rubble.

I think she thought

she could carry us both

and the marriage

on her back.

But even the strongest woman

can’t stop a man

from burning down his own house