The Rituals Of Mary

The child who never made it home, Mary cries for help in the hospital hallways and needs to escape.... My dear, sweet Mary passed away when she was just 9 years old Every night I am plagued by flashbacks The drive home Intense, blinding light The sound of screaming metal Her body, bloodied, huddled in my arms I remember, between shallow breaths, her quietly saying “I just want to go home, Mummy” Despite the Doctors’ attempts to save her life, Mary’s body gave up in the hospital bed at 3:33am It was just the two of us, as it always has been Holding back tears, I held her hand, kissed her on the forehead and headed for the door And then she spoke…..“I just want to go home, Mummy”