The Prodigal's Mother

After the peaceful years he came home singing,
on a lame camel, over the mountain,bringing trouble,
spoiling everything.
His father running and skipping to greet him,
his brother sulking, kicking sand.
The servants, charmed,danced all evening,
while I, grieving in the kitchen,
poisoned his portion of fatted calf.

by M D Essinger