i love you mommy

i can hear her rhythmic rocking
from the floor above
the mother in the room upstairs
who has no child to love

she's dillusional, institutional
at the very least, she's unusual
even the rodents give her wide berth
when she hobbles down the hall

her frightened eyes are red and swollen
her hands clutch tight -lest it be stolen
the dirty rag that holds the remains
of a rattered tattered doll

muttering in her intake of breath
moaning with the release
she's found the cure for loneliness
in this building of disease

she cares for the toy as if it were living
the personifcation of selfless giving
a crazy old bird she stands protecting
a mother bear with rabies

should such a soul be locked away?
it's not my job or place to say
but if you must truly interfere
-please don't take her baby