'06
Visions,
Dozens
Of my mother
Standing in front
of the kitchen sink
dish rag over her shoulder
cold water running over potatoes
that only Mo could mash
the mysterious smell of Bell's
for twenty-eight years
the sound of that fat stainless steel spoon,
scraping the bottom of Mama's ancient pot
"Did it pop yet?"was the question of the day
My Aunts go up and down, up and down
the stairs to the basement
bowls and plates steaming,
in the corner Dave and Matt,
just little boys their hair greased in d.a.'s
cigarette packs rolled in their sleeves,
lipsyncing Greased Lightning
They have kids of their own now
But Thanksgiving will always be home
*******
'07
Fixed at the stove there
Spinning her spells
over the rice pudding
My dad loved so well
There she is standing
Where she belongs
I'm choked with longing
And then come the songs
Made up lyrics to Davey Crocket, Adelvaise
Songs she sings to us in silhouette at night
I hear her voice out loud
I see her beautiful smile of old
I feel her hands cupping my face
All the while her palm gets cold
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