Ben’s mom spends most of her time
on the couch
wanting to get up
Ben and Taylor spend their time
making her rest

we have lunch
and talk of life
until Paula forces us out the door
to have fun

with Taylor
we spend a few hours bowling
skirting the topics
that hover just above us all

it is not until dinner that
the mood changes
Paula sleeping
and the three of us
talking at the kitchen table

I feel that I belong
yet don’t belong
and I listen as Ben talks with Taylor
about the details of the week
when Taylor cries,
Ben takes her hand and leans forward
until their heads are resting together
weary