The Nest of the Ignored

She steps into the steeping brew of the cafe
Stories and dreams held close, fluttering to escape

Smiles
Hugs
Laughs
Settling

Now the words pour out, some strong and some weak
They rush and they are warm and they are wanting

These urgencies, these fragile utterances
fly with purpose
wish for witness

With great hope they travel
only to find
eyes pointed elsewhere
posture slack
a wounding vacancy of attention

A slight inward breath
gather gather here, inside
there there now, mommy is here

She splits herself in two
Pushes the button labeled automatic
Asks a question; nods on cue

If you look behind her now, maybe a little to the left, you can see her there
Hunched over her nest of the ignored
Her back is turned, she does not look at you
Why should she?