Snow globe

it has been a long week
the nights have been extra trying
without knowing if
his name will be cleared

little Leila has nightmare again
screaming down the duplex
she is racing up the stairs
almost trips over her own slippers

she holds Leila to calm her shakes
kissing her head and humming ‘edelweiss’
her sobs and shakes subside
her eyes are on the squirrel
trapped inside the snow globe

she follows Leila’s gaze
tips the snow globe upside down
the snowflakes flying all over the squirrel

just before she puts it back on the side table
her fingers feel the stickiness
she turns it over again
and sees the crimson edge of the snow globe

it has been a long week
the nights have been extra trying
without knowing if
his name will ever be cleared
now that her suspicion
finds its substance