An Empty World [rev] Poem by Margaret Alice Second

I look upon an empty world through swollen eyes,
my little girl is leaving home; while logically it had
to happen one day - but Mexico? I don't think so;
a dark world looms without her dainty smile, wild
shrieks when she sees me, chasing me from her
room, making remarks lesser women would need
to cringe to; Mom's the naughty child, she says -
to be sent to a corner for her delinquent deeds -

Now I see the date she leaves; so very soon, two
months from now - her working on a ship for six
months before returning home makes me feel ill;
my eyes see a world empty without her laughing,
talking in overdrive - harsh comments on seeing
how the study looks, giving me a pool noodle I'd
so long wanted, rolling her eyes about her mom;
my head hurts - I feel nauseous knowing she will

Leave so soon - the day she leaves I'll have cried
enough, sending her off with a brave smile; - now
I'm in sackcloth and ashes in an empty world, may
I overcome this feeling soon, it's awful expecting
my little world to end in this Armageddon…