my arms ache for hope deferred
my heart weeps for the dream lost on waking
tears burn throat chokes
still there are dishes in the sink
counters to be wiped
floors to be mopped
my daughter, precious gem, stirs
i go to her
i want to snatch her up in my arms
hold her close
whisper to her that one year she will have a sibling
not this year
not next year
someday...
i tuck the blanket around her shoulders
she settles back into sleep
love hurts more than yearning