Keeping Watch

I gripped her arm in the midst of stares,

looking out for a new neighbor,

looking out for her child.

Where were those stares fifteen minutes ago

when Miss Thang was yelling

what she wasn’t gonna do or

where she wasn’t gonna go and

I wasn’t her mama and

I thought, Lord, this ain’t even my child.

But I stood there watching her

making sure she saw me.

Then I had enough, and it became apparent

she was beyond reason and conversation, so

I pulled her back,

I pulled her in.

My hold was tight and grew tighter

with each resistance,

but I was determined not to let go.

I delivered her to her mama,

bruised both she and I

not sure if either of us would completely heal.

We both have battle scars now that have

branded us

broken us

bonded us