Wednesday, March 16, 2016

16: Around the table...again

Years ago in the house on West Dearborn
the living room lights would twinkle on a Friday night
there would be four cars in the driveway after dinner and
four couples
laughing about diets and desserts
remembering farms and furniture factories
telling stories and
playing games like Bones and Skipbo
around the dark formica table in the avocado kitchen

But then it was my grandpa twenty years ago
and my grandma's sister's husband one month later
which was a blessing
they had each other here
and they had each other there
so they removed a leaf from the table
and then it was my grandma's brother on April 7
and my grandma's younger sister on April 7 the next year
so they removed another leaf from the table here and added one there
and then it was my grandma's brother's wife a few years later
and then it was my grandma a few years after that
so they removed another leaf from the table here and added another one there
and then it was my grandma's older sister a few months later
and yesterday it was my grandma's younger sister's husband

When I heard the news I heard them
laughing again
like they did years ago in the house on West Dearborn
the living room lights would twinkle on a Friday night
there would be four cars in the driveway after dinner and
Earl and Corrine
Harry and Elmira
Gorm and Lorraine
Bob and Marilyn
would play games likes Bones and Skipbo
around the dark formica table in the avocado kitchen


Write on,
b

6 comments:

  1. I love a circular ending. Yours is so clever. The cycle of love, taking care of each other and community sang a song to me as I read your poetic post.

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  2. Love your words, "they had each other here, and they had each other there." And "so they removed another leave from the table here and added another one there." A beautiful slice!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Ramona -- it's a special slice for my family. :)

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    2. That was my favorite part too Ramona. And I love that the names are listed at the end.
      A beautiful piece. The love is so evident.
      xo
      Pamela

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    3. That was my favorite part too Ramona. And I love that the names are listed at the end.
      A beautiful piece. The love is so evident.
      xo
      Pamela

      Delete

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