It's Still Life

Found from source: “Flowers In The Attic”
by VC Andrews, pg 12-13 iBooks version.

Stiff Upper Lips and Other Naff Myths

Momma was
cut-velvet breathless,
all diamond icicles —
wouldn’t live two years.

I know that now.

It was early May,
and she didn’t want
whining, or crying.

It would displace me.

for Writers’ Digest PA AprPAD Day 2: “Best & Worst”

I.
The Worst of Her

tonight.
tonight.
in this house, tonight.
she is
risen from
waxen white
into raw faults.
hers is to live
in a maelstrom,
hard as blue ice.
II.
The Best She Could Be

I forced my heart
to cheerfulness.
Tucked in a smile.

Don’t worry, she said,
and patted my hand.