an absence of flute

a sick father-in-law in Houston
a sister-in-law in labor
taking care of a son.
those are his reasons.

for me,
a daughter and her love
over for wine and cheese
another birthday celebration,
the end of the 50s,
I hadn't really realized that.

darkness and its late
hot milk ready to culture
dirty dishes and unpacked suitcases.

tomorrow is Monday
much to be done

flute will take a back seat
my warm bed calls me.