Filho que não veio

The house wakes to the smell of bread
But the table has room for three
Coffee cools in the extra cup
that I still set out every morning
as if he were about to arrive
Verse 2
The children at school call me auntie
I smile, correct homework, hug them tight
But when the bell rings and the yard empties
I stand looking at the empty gate
and the silence weighs more than a backpack
Verse 3
I go home and open the window
The sun comes yellow into the toy room
that became a storeroom for longing
I keep a teddy bear that never belonged to anyone
and it still smells new
Verse 4
The neighbor asks, "and the son, when is he coming?"
I say, "God knows the right time"
She smiles, I smile, we understand
Sometimes love comes another way
and fills the house all the same
Verse 5
When night falls, I turn on the room light
I made the small bed, just to do it
I put on a low lullaby
I sing alone to no one
and the heart rocks in rhythm
Verse 6
Tomorrow I will wake early again
Set out the extra cup, open the window
The son who never came lives here inside
and taught me that a mother is also made
from love that does not fit at the table