• Poetry

Stephanie, age 11, who was brought to the hospital by police after her mother broke a glass serving tray across her foot, tells me about her dream.

I dreamt

I was back at home.

My family was sitting in my

empty

bedroom.

There was an opening

in the ceiling

with helium balloons wedged inside.

A gush of gray water

trickled beneath our chairs.

My little brother and I

crept to the floor, laughing.

My mother turned toward me.

Her mouth and eyes

were missing.

All that remained of her face

was a hollow,

empty hole.

We returned to our chairs.