When We Lose Both Parents



We become grown
orphans again

O, stork
O, Great Sky Hand

Drop me again
inside a home
of cradling arms

Young Oliver
all of us

Waiting open-mouthed
so hungry

Our mothers and fathers
taking with them

all the serving spoons
inside the house


Maureen Sherbondy’s forthcoming book is Dancing with Dali (FutureCycle, 2020). She has also published a short story collection and eight other poetry collections. She teaches English at Alamance Community College in Graham, NC.