Did you know
I was always watching
perched in the kitchen corner
grandgirl eyes staring staring
you
at the stove
wooden spoon stirring
me
hungering for your scent
your magic
soup beans
navy white butter,
garden greens
collards mustards turnips,
hocks and jowls
simmering simmering
me
thirsting for one sip
of your pot likker love.
Did you know
I was always gazing
at your slippered feet standing
back bending bending
you
tasting, humming
some spirit song, lovely
hair piled high
eyes brown like mine
me
wondering wondering
at the apron
bound round
and round your waist,
your dreams
wondering at your body
that bore nine babies
and still conjured grace.
My dear Grand Mother,
did you ever feel my
longing longing
from across the room
waiting for you
to turn
to see me
to tell me
how to survive
in this place?
