Poetry by Shannon Phillips

               John Brighenti CC



The one who left

How do you love the child of the one who left?
Children are a blessing, my mother says.
Should you keep a little love warm? For when you need it? 

What if the child blames you for the one who left? 
Or worse—blames themselves, my mother warns. 
Keep love warm, she says. You’ll need it.

How do you mother when you’ve been left?
Keep the blessings warm, my mother says.
Don’t blame the one who left.

What if you still love the one who left?
Love the blessings, she says. They will keep you warm. 
Don’t blame love. You’ll need it.

​
​

Shannon Phillips is a freelance copy editor whose most recent chapbook, BODY PARTS, was published by dancing girl press. She also founded and runs Picture Show Press and A Moon of One's Own.

---