Renewal

 

My Aunt  
Denise Amos

 

          Dainty doilies on the buffet
          Hand crocheted
          Hails your hospitality
          Skilled hands.

 

          Stiff starched blouse buttoned high
          Under wool blazer
          Tucked into tailored skirt
          Copy editor.

 

          Plaid pedal pushers
          Motorless push mower whirring
          Side yard front yard backyard tiny yard
          lickety-split           trimmed.

 

          Dungarees every fall, raking leaves
          Leaves burning
          Marshmallows roasting
          Chili simmering.

 

          Sunday dress
          Ninth and O Baptist
          “He makes all things new”
          Spinster, married at 42.

 

          Dress handmade
          Saved for my first day of 10th grade
          Instead
          “She would have wanted you to wear yellow.
          To share your sunshine, your smile,
                with her friends.”

          The fabric of our days 
          Together
          A comedy blazing                     
          of joy, memories, and life.