Grandmother

90

the number stretches farther than you know.

zero yawns heavily

ready to eat her up.

her voice hits me like the past--

smells like ivory soap hung round the garden

keep the deer away.

if you are here then I am here and we are safe together.

 ah, grandmother, there was a time

when you and I were secret conspirers--

yellow beads rolled ‘neath my fingers and 

i can touch your face.

you cannot see me. I am wearing an African tribal war mask.

why raisin-fingers?

because they have soaked in the soup of time.

stop because

wrinkles are beautiful.

old is beautiful.

small is beautiful.

we can’t all be giants.

do not think that I discount you.

I did when I had scoffing to spare

and now I have none left but only

hungry ears.

hungry ears match easy tears and we are together once more.