Whilst Leila Sleeps

• I am moving in the dead of night
• My fingers tie knots like fish nets
• I want to be in my mother’s house but she is all the way over

  the other side of the world
• Leila is a bundle in her car seat
• it could be the sleep of oblivion
• My headlights are paranoic eyes
• Does it have a name. They want my name
• Their smiles tighten my stomach
• Now there is nothing left
• What do I tell my daughter
• We are done for. There is a need to worry
• I cannot lie to her
• Leila tugs at my coat. I whisperher cradle song and she holds on
• I thought I was safe, what is that fear