the old woman
rocks that boy
just as she had
his father before him
rocks him while he’s crying
his arm round her neck
eyes clenched but
loose enough
to let the tears past
rocks him rocks him
her eyes tracing the same line
up and down the far wall
rocks him as he’s yawning
with his face pressed
to her shoulder rocks him
till he falls asleep standing up
then she can stand up herself
and go to lay him down
just as she had
just as she had
his father before him