Honey’s House

At the mahogany baby grand she sits
Deep rose nails tip tapping on cream keys

I hear the hump of pushing pedals,
…………her breath whistling through clenched teeth
…………for misplaced notes
Rings on wrinkled knuckles rattle
News murmurs from the TV screen
No one can hear the music, for happy
…………reunion laughter

Great grandmother’s painting hangs delicately
…………golden framed
Mom’s perched in the purple velvet throne
Cousins view wood carvings shining
…………beneath glass table tops
as angel images climb lampstands with ease

Ruth wears her tomato blouse with matching
pants, commenting on pea green carpet
…………matching dinner

Visiting relatives groan at savory smells
…………buttered rolls, roast beef, rich gravy
Children cover their mouths, eyes wide
…………with anticipation of dessert
…………and candied koolaid

 

Polaroid

The rusty picture tin rests rocking
………….on my knee

A snapshot of four-year-old me
………….catches my eye

My face is grinning, golden hair windblown
I’m Sunday-best dressed, white
………….with blue and red ribbons

So green the grass and clear the sky
It’s almost too…
………….perfect

An uneasiness flows through me
………….The yellowed memory mildew?
………….Discussing family history?

………….There’s a sterility –

An aunt with blue hair
………….purple lips, a grating voice
Lois’ home was beautiful, but
………….the grass had no path, the carpet
………….no footprints, the flowers
………….no one to smell them

I’m smiling, but something
………….isn’t quite right

Later I find out why we never
………….have reunions with Aunt Lois’
………….side of the family

They just never did much
………….like each other
………….says my mother

© Rachel Dyar McKenzie

Rachel Dyar McKenzie is a semi-retired secretary who has long been a writer and poet in secret only. This is her first foray into the world of publishing. She enjoys her 1911 home in Birmingham, AL with her husband Mike, and cat Wikileak (because she talks too much). Rachel calls her writing style “creative reality.” It is a mix of real-life, bad dreams, fuzzy memories, and expectant wishes.

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