the exhausted mother
shut her eyes
her back was hurting
she didn’t have it in her
to tell her children
the regular bedtime story

just imagine, she said to them,
a beautiful garden
in front of your eyes
with flowers in bright
colours

and anima-
she sensed
a movement
in front of her

blinking
open her eyes
she saw her five-year old’s
head hover above her own
an anxious expression
on her child face
what’s the matter sweetheart,
she asked, concerned

mama, i’m looking
for the garden in your eyes
because there’s no garden
before my eyes