CORNERED

My brother, Saul, is gone.

Disappeared in the night.

Our mother is frantic.

A limb has been ripped from her.

“My baby! Did they take him?

Is he in prison?”

She has already answered yes

to both of these questions.

My father corners her.

Moves toward her slowly

with soothing sounds.

“Saul is fine,” my father says.

“He wanted to do something.

He is strong.

He knew the wolves were hungry for

young men who looked like him.

He left to find help.

This was his chance

to do something.

He took it with my blessing.

I know I’m his father but

I couldn’t stop him.

He’s seventeen.

He’s a man.

He didn’t want you to know, Golda, because

he knew you wouldn’t let him go.

Hopefully he will make it to Russia.

Be alive.”

My mother’s relief in Father’s words outweighs

her anger.

But now

she keeps me tethered.

Forewarned is forearmed.