To My Grandmother

From the myspace archives.

To My Grandmother
(written November 17, 2008)

I still remember
white bed
blurry at the time
due to watering the pink roses
that you stitched on the spread
with a prayer in each
for me

I still remember
gentle hands
smoothing my hair
stroking my face
rubbing my back
hands that smelled
of cigarettes and lotion
and pearlescent polish

I still remember
shh, shh, shh softly
never telling me
not to cry
to stop that mess
or you'd give me something to cry about
just gentle clucking
I call my daughter Chicken
My little Chicken

I still remember
pride in your voice
the way you would say it
as you held me close
letting me smell
a hint of magnolia
from the blossoms
always in a glass bowl on your table
flowers bloom
from cracks left behind in rocks
you saw one forming
in your arms
under your hands

I still remember
confusing you
with the Virgin Mary
wanting to call you Mother
to always breathe
cigarettes, lotion, magnolia
to always hear
clucking
to always feel
warm
soft
now I only hope
the cracks left behind
grow pink roses