A Missing Piece

*
It is so strange. So very strange.
Never ever had I thought of making my own breakfast.
Never ever had I thought of cooking my own dinner.
Never ever had I thought of washing my own dishes.
Never ever had I thought of taking care of myself when I am ill.
Never ever had I thought of working all day when others of my age enjoy watching cartoons.
Never ever had I thought of getting home to an empty room.

If I only knew, I would have stayed home.
If I only knew, I would not have left.
If I only knew, I would have chosen to be with you longer.

Mama, let me close my eyes, for it is the only way I can imagine your presence, your smell, your smile, your wrinkles on your face, your hair turning gray.
Let me close my eyes, for it is the only way I can forget about making my own breakfast, cooking my own dinner, washing my own dishes, taking care of myself, working all day, and getting home to an empty room.
Let me close my eyes, for it is the only way I can find my missing piece.
*
*

''Jennifer Cabrera is a student in Marshella Lie’s CLIP class at CUNY’s Hostos Community College. At a very young age, she left her country of origin, the Dominican Republic, to work for her family, who had no other source of income. She decided to pursue her education, so she could get a better job to support her family back home.