Prayers of Night

Double shift over,
late in the evening
and apron tied behind her back.
Stove is warm
hot soup simmers
a colorful melody
brings blissful therapy
the rich spices in the air.
A moon hanging in the sky
stars held up on invisible strings
the meal is on but now for the ones she loves.
Their fortunate ignorant laughter
spills onto the coloring pages
of purple giraffes and tye dyed lions
while the voice on the television 
brings more ill news.
Shutdowns, the deaf leading the blind.
Soup is in the bowl
bread is on the table
flat lived in and clothes slightly out of touch
but school seems to be going well and they have friends.
Its the best she can do for now
the careworn warmed by the happy youth
'cause they know no pain
as long as the blue stays blue
and the red stays red
to them its all the same.
Tree branches still for climbing
the sun still brings smiles 
and lunches still at school
skinned knees and boogey men; 
their only worries.
Their mother's perfect timing
band aids and hot soup to clear away
everyone's little troubles.
Television off for the night
kids tucked in bed.
Her prayers that tomorrow he will make things right
and the light flickers off to another restless sleep.