if you were here, you’d be home

There are two women

who mistake me for their daughter.

I go along, and accept apologies

never meant for me.

I say my father’s bank account looks fine-

not to worry, he has a card now,

we’ll have to go to the mall, and then

we pray.

A man hands me a baby doll, saying

“raise him”, smiling

like it’s the best thing he’s seen all day.

He stands up with it so carefully.