In The Long Room 1991

In the long room in the front of the house

there are windows facing tress, facing the road

and a couch against one wall.

In the long room a child plays

a doll in her small lap

while scenes from the animated television

reflect in her eyes

Yellow curtains hung with cigarette smoke

hang around the twin windows

facing trees, facing the road.

And on the couch against one wall

the mother naps, eyes closed.

The television speaks in the long room

and the child whispers back quietly

not to disturb the mother

on the couch against one wall.

Later, the sleeping mother will leave

someone else will come

and the child’s doll will say hello

while scenes from the animated television

reflect in her eyes.