Momma wrote

Years ago a sunlit chapel

First grade was ending

I was leaving

No recollection of the words

Only Momma choked on them

Sad

Tears

 

Momma never cries

Cheeks we kids smushed into “pumpkin face”

Now glittering

Dewdrops reflecting sun

Resting gently on pink apples

 

All still

All quiet

Breath… words…

 

Momma’s poem made her cry

 

Something special to sift through SORROW

DELIGHT

JOY

PAIN

RAGE

CONFUSION

GIGGLES

DEATH

LIFE

POETRY

 

I write… not well, not for others

For me

For hurting me

Needed, like breath

Wanted, to keep moving

I write what happened

I write to him

I write the details

I write to shock

I write to soothe

I write cause Momma wrote first

 

Momma wrote

 

Momma writes