put away in an institutional
home
she watches television
all day
writes her daughter
tells her to come
and take her to the bank
so she can withdraw her money
and escape like the free bird
she once was

the daughter feels guilty
but knows she can’t take
care of herself
and has her own life
to live

at night
the old woman ignores
the dinner bell
trapped in Dante’s hell
where even enemies become
welcome visitors