Tag: Tenderness
-
Arguing with the Dead
Arguing With the DeadBegin by calling her by name,not the one etched on the granite monument in front of you,not the one printed on the birth certificate—that temporary name another motherwas forced to dream upin the haze of post-labor fade,in the ecstasy of seeing youfor the first time—something that grew for nine monthsinside this other,and…
-
Brief Encounter on Aisle Five
Brief Encounter on Aisle FiveIt is this way:She sees him first—aisle five, cereals— where the honeyed light fall softly on him— and her. The way he cradles Cheerioson the cart’s edge—firm in his handsso if they slip, they fallinto the safety of the cart,into the touch of his little girl-—lets her knowhe once belonged to…
-
Prayers Between Us
I do my laundryin the rhythm of my mother’s prayers—each crease a rosary,folding divineto divine.I count the timesher perils met mine—with hands that trembledat my fever,hands burntin a kitchenunseen,List the register of her and mine shared frailties:the way we flinched at sudden joy, unsure it would stay,All the letters written to my heart—the notes she…
-
There Is a Disco Ball Shimmering
There is a Disco Ball shimmering🌸Pink on softened blood still wet with arrival—dancing in the cradle of mother’s first touch—both she and midwife weepingin the baptism of first scream.🍊Orange in jitters across lunch trays,school desks, scraped knees.The ball tells him— “Learn from this”—then spins awaywhen he shines too clever.💜 Purple that aches on the letter…