evening drive through town
a family of deer in a meadow
at the side of the road

mountains of pancakes
the line of football players
dig in

stormy night
mother patting the backs
of two small children

saying goodbye
a sea full of men
the first tear trickles down

a parent's choice of pink
for the daughter’s coffin . . .
she hated pink

pulling out of the driveway
children crying
good bye, Daddy

fading sunset
flickers on
the pink marble cathedral

cool November morning
the phone rings and I know
she is gone

joy and pride
Granddaughter starts
to read on her own

two grandmothers together
rinsing, rinsing,
the New Year’s rice

summer vacation
a million stars
listening to crashing waves

snowing lightly
home from the funeral
a salty salty ham

water seeping from me
three weeks too soon
it’s a GIRL!

lying in bed
intense recurring pain
it’s time

delivery room
the doctor leaves
why am I the only one crying?

rippling water
a frog’s eyes survey
the water’s edge

step onto crowded elevator
silence
door opens on your floor

pain in my mouth
at last
the glint off the needle

frightened sisters
twin beds
pushed together

Halloween night
grandmother’s wheelchair
becomes our cave

no boogeyman
lightening bug lantern
on the nightstand

in the garage
a gust of wind
then the rain

Grandma’s dresser drawer
filled with glittery scarves
two little girls dress up

the bigger the puddle
the splash that
little feet make

smoky hair
tequila breath
in a strange bed

breezy Jamaican day
only him and me
I do

black lace
anxiously awaiting
a tug boat's horn

on a treadmill
feet moving quickly
going nowhere

full moon
from the dock
I hear a loon

winter chill
wearing the housejackets
made just for us

anticipation rises
what is the diagnosis…
it’s pink!

walking down the aisle
he tightly squeezes my hand
I love you too, daddy