She's Not Coming Home (Poetry)

Mother at the sink
when daughter goes out
that boyfriend again
all smarm and sports car
with luck it won’t last

No drama — all smiles
a peck on the cheek
agreed she’ll be back
the usual time —
see you later, then ...

Mother settles down
watching the tele
repeats by the yard
wakes in a panic
the clock doesn’t lie

Fear holds her rigid
while thoughts go spinning
sheer nightmare horror
the worst imagined
she suffers alone

It’s hours later
she finds the note stuffed
through the letterbox
daughter to mother
she’s not coming home