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This writing was accepted for publication in the 108 page perfect-bound ISSN#/ ISBN# issue/book “The Garden of Eden” cc&d, v308 (the April 2021 issue) Order the 6"x9" paperback book:

Order this writing in the book What Lies on the Other Side the cc&d Jan.-April 2021 magazine issues collection book		get the 424 page Jan.-April 2021 cc&d magazine 6" x 9" ISBN# perfect-bound paperback book:

Mother

Jimmy Broccoli

My mother cleans when she’s sad
Our tables have no dust
The windows have no streaks
The carpet, step lightly, there must be no ware
Tears gently run down her face
For angelic bathtubs. No mildew. No stains

I scrub away my melancholy
And sweep away my loneliness, like dust bunnies
I’ve decided not to cry today
I’m a lot like my mother
But I’m lazy and messy and a disappointment

We – my family – we mostly keep to ourselves
My father reads the newspaper
My mother fumbles with the hobbies she despises
I wear headphones like skin

My sister drowned 3 years ago
She liked to ride her bike
Our backyard pool stole her breath
The bubbles floated to the surface
Until they didn’t
My mother doesn’t look away anymore
And we don’t talk about it

Through my open window I hear –
Someone speaking then someone else laughing
I remember smiling and thinking happy thoughts
Some friends thought my jokes were funny

I shut my bedroom window
Because that is the past

I do not laugh anymore

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