Dark Sunglasses on Sunless Days

Terry Dawley

At a young age, I learned
the reasons
Mama wore dark sunglasses on sunless days

when violent storms battered our skies
and the sun cowered from thunderous slaps
and the bruised heavens wept

and there were no safe houses to shelter us
from the fury

that uprooted the fragile normality
struggling to survive in the volatile climate

and I learned to ignore the sideways glances
of people passing by
who offered no umbrella

to take refuge beneath
whenever
Mama wore dark sunglasses on sunless days.