terrypetersen

Hunger’s Cousin

When her baby was born,
someone whisked her boy away
and placed him in an incubator
sterile, touch free.

And Mama brought her child home.
They grew, separate and fat,
looked similar yet knew
of each other as strangers.

Mama stands now at a deli.
She orders three pounds of ham
and 24 ounces of cheese.
Two women behind her snicker

at both her and the chubby child.
A third woman mentions
the shade of her worn blue coat.
A weak compliment. Mama fakes a smile.

Then another customer says she recalls
the date and hospital where the boy was born.
She recognizes her son’s name.
Mama gasps and the woman smiles.

I took care of your son in the nursery.
For 47 days. She touches both Mama and her boy.
And prays for a miracle. She knows
Mama and son live hunger of a different kind.