Filtered Sunlight

baby crying  in a crib
mother lying in her bed
doesn't wake to tend his needs
he'll cry for hours, if not fed

plotting how to make him stop
two sisters stand below
deciding what to do
food he needs, to quiet him, that much they do know

they make a plan, it goes like this
climb up to the top
slide right down in to the crib, grab the baby
pick him up, do not let him drop

slide him down to waiting hands
be as careful as you can
the boy is caught so cautiously
mother stirred, the sister ran

left alone, slip out the room
clean the baby up
warm his bottle on the stove
soon he'll have his sup

you sit there in the rocking chair
you whisper to your brother
don't worry, it will be all right
i'll be the other mother

you're six years old, you rock and sing
the little babe is sleeping,
he's fed and warm, wrapped in your arms
and in your thoughts you're thinking
 and
    wondering
        if she did this to you
           left you alone
              when you needed her, too.......