the old woman

rocks that boy

just as she had

his father before him

rocks him while he caterwauls

his arm round her neck

eyes clenched but

loose enough

to let the tears past

rocks him rocks him

her eyes tracing the same line

up and down the far wall

rocks him as he's yawning

with his face pressed

to her shoulder rocks him

till he falls asleep standing up

then she can stand up herself

and go to lay him down

just as she had

just as she had

his father before him