It is hard not knowing when
people will arrive at Marla’s house,
trying to be out as much as I can,
jumping each time the doorbell chimes.
I find her phone
and scroll through
the reminders in her calendar –
daily, it says Peggy,
weekly, Donal’s name appears,
Mary is nowhere.
And there are other things,
like reminders for medicine
and doctor’s visits,
notes about birthdays and
bank holidays.
This helps her, I know.
I’ve seen her check her phone when it pings
and find peace in the written words.
And so I add another.
Toffee,
I type,
a recurring reminder.
Nothing else.
It should be enough.