Donna Buck

Good Night

The house sits on an old orchard. Persimmon trees in the side yard drop orange fruit onto the wet soil. Chipped paint on the shutters and yellow siding. Plastic chairs on the patio. Old cards lined up on the mantel. After the tired greeting, she repeats, "I said hello".

The clatter of dishes accompanies a silent meal. A bottle of Chateau St. Jean almost empty on the counter. Now on the sofa, he is already nodding off. It gets dark so much earlier this time of year. "Good night then."

wet mulch
blankets the roaches
under sodden leaves