Anger
at Necha for drinking the foul water
at myself for not stopping her.
Snow
to wash away the filth
to cool her burning fever.
Wished
I could cut out paper dolls to distract her
I could do more than worry.
Worried
that Necha would not get better
that the blockova would notice.
Hurried
to trade coffee for a bit of bread
to find some help.
Returned
Necha wasn’t there
Necha wasn’t anywhere.
Frantic
I raced around the Block
I searched everywhere.
the mother with the two daughters turned away
Fania and the other girls shook their heads.
Guilt
I had left her alone
I had not taken care of her.
Waited
all day alone
all day knowing.