The Sick Child

In the bed
by the corner
lies a sick child
her fever runs high
her throat swollen
her breathing strained
her head splitting in excruciating pain
her little body
weak and sore

In another corner of the room
lies the woman crying uncontrollably, mumbling
she wants to be old
she wants the pain to stop
she wants to die
the child is terrified by the sound of the words
she is so young and helpless
what can she do?
unable to stand the sadness and fear
she gets out of bed
goes to the woman
takes her in her arms
and almost fused together
forlorn
mother and child
lay there
sobbing