She watched The families on television With six chairs at the dining table Six chairs all filled She had three empty chairs. She watched The minivan pull up beside her The children in the back Their faces Motion blurred when traffic said it was time to go She had two empty seats. She watched Her mom's face when she asked For a Brother Or sister Just someone Else Her mother Had one empty stomach after all. She watches Her mother Her father How their laughter lines And gray hairs loom And she prays She won’t be left alone in the hospital waiting room With 10 empty seats.
Pretha Prabhakar is a freshman majoring in Design at SVA. She grew up in Princeton, New Jersey, and enjoys photography and spending time with her family.