so much filled space

in my small mind

at the age of eight

i have already become

a second mother

to children that are not my own

my heart stings

as her cries

fill up the silence in the room

we were set for chaos

since the beginning

we are once again late

as if the world is

always one step ahead

how many more nights

must she lie awake

i will make sure she rests

for as long as she pleases

but for now

she stays sleepless.