Table For Three Poem by Marguerite Anderson

I sat to eat at the table for three
There was my mother, my sibling and me
And for many years-
before my dangling feet
could touch the ground
-I longed for that empty chair to make a sound.

I fantasized
At my table for three
That my fourth but invisible being
Had lovingly
Leaned over to wipe the messy blotch of food
From my mouth
Or perhaps in his parental omniscience
Put me on his lap
And wiped the tears
Triggered by Mother's slap.

But many years have passed
And in reality
I'm still here sitting,
Still here waiting
At my table for three.