I got up early today

and watched the warm dawn.

I wasn't feeling well.

The doctor said,

"There is a tumor.

It should come out."

He said, "Stay home.

And do something

you have wanted to do."

My son stayed home from school

to help me wax the floor

and do Spring cleaning,

as I wasn't feeling well.

My sister-in-law came by

with sadness in her eyes.

She said there was a call

from Southern California.

She began to cry

and said my Dad had died.

The boy downstairs

wanted me to cut his hair

so he could get a job.

He didn't know my Dad.

I cut his hair

and thought about the past.

He asked me what was wrong.

"My Dad died today

and I am sad."

is all I said.

He said, "Oh."

My eldest son came by

to wash his dishes

and do a load of laundry

and take a shower.

(They have no power

or water in their tiny trailer

in the country.)

My Dad died today

and I am sad.

So I cried.

My daughter came by briefly

with her friend

to show me what she bought

at Northtown Mall

for the baby she will have

in July.

My Dad died today

and I am sad.

So I cried,

Because I miss him.

My roommate came home

upset after work

to tell me of a fight she had

with her boyfriend.

And I told her,

"My Dad died today

and I am sad."

And I cried some more,

because I miss him.

Just like I miss Mama.

She died in January.

And I realized today

That I have no parents.

I cried for my loneliness

While I waxed the floor,

and cut the boy's hair,

and washed up dirty dishes,

and did the laundry.

My Dad died today

and I am sad.

Mama died three months ago

and I am still sad.

But the floor looks good.

Everyone says so.

The boy's hair looks good.

He likes it.

My son wears clean clothes.

He's happy.

My Dad died today

and I am sad,

but no one seems to notice.

They go on just the same.

But I cried. A lot.

Because I miss my Dad.

Because I miss my Mom.

Because I am sad

that they have both died

and left me

alone.