THE HOUSE OF VOLCANOES

not a typical bedtime

The House of Volcanoes
(or Snooze Time)

There is a refrain here
in the house of volcanoes -
snooze buttons pressed and pressed.
“I know. I know” is the refrain.
“I am trying.

The little boy hides the TV remote in his bedside drawer
along with a small bag of Cheetos.
She had said, “Don't even tell me you are hungry.
It is time for bed”.
But, Mom I didn't eat. We didn't have ... (dinner).”

The older girl reads to the younger boy.
She is trying.
She knows of bedtime routines of reading stories and good night kisses.
“The little house found herself in the city one day,
and she could no longer see the sky.”

“One day someone recognized the little house...”
She is almost crying.

She is listening.

Bedtime is about the rising voice -
(Torrential Rains, Hurricanes, Tornadoes-
Mother Nature at her worst.)

Mother at her worst.

Mother reaching for her hiding spot
her hidden remote
walking in her own puddles
as things crash around her
The fog fills the house
every corner, every room -
not to be lifted till the morning refrain:

I know, I know,
I am trying.