I did not go to work today. But, today was full of work.
Today I have made a pizza, some muffins, and a hat.
Also I made changes, friendships, rest, and thoughts, and also
I ran errands. So many
errands.

I also worried about money, and time, and health, and family, and boys.
Well, boy
or rather
the thought that I am loved by someone, and how foreign
that idea still seems to me.
But He says it is so. So it must be.

I ponder such a curious idea, as I change her clothes, and help her with
the most basic of needs
and cheer her on when she takes a few steps in a row–
and then I adjust her oxygen tank so she can
breathe

I sleep early, and wake up when I hear her
crying. I wake her up completely; she can sleep again
but only after
pills water blanket nightlight
oxygen tank
and a video clip of her grandchildren
sending their love.

I tuck her in, return to my chair. I lean back,
blanket around my shoulders. I start to dream of
tasks, and chores, and errands and work and         school
as the whirring of the compressor
lulls me back to sleep.

—

Sabina M. Säfsten is a life-long poet who recently decided to make attempts to be published as an adult. Published as a child writer in multiple poetry anthologies, she took a brief 15-year haitus and earned an undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University in Family Science. She has since come to her senses and has worked as a professional copywriter for the past 3 years for various clients. She currently works as a writer for a financial education company in Provo, UT, where she lives with her 2 djembes, Daniel and Ebony.