why write, i ask myself, when there’s so much else. moving and shaking and making sure she takes all of her medications. out in the park, two pairs of egrets, a lone white duck. cat litter to clean. who has enough time empty of necessity to follow the call of words. hurry up, please. it’s time. i dream of good-byes. wait for rain. time. the toothy smile of a toddler who remembers.