The tilting of the head

and the vacant eyes

and then the most wonderful surprise

as you laugh it off and try

to disguise that you have no idea

who I am or why you're here

in front of me with a daughter by your side

who says you've dwindled away

until there is nothing left of you

that you leave the stove on

and forget to water the chrysanthemum

so you laugh it off

because she thinks she knows it all

as you cover the burns on your hand

and stare blankly at me

for I asked a rather peculiar question