Her smile was pure Crayola
A big broad crocodilian state
that demanded best behaviour.
A strong, strong, leathered bag
of a women who held us hard
at arms length, we'd dangle.
The furniture owned gran's house,
sock wearing chairs would growl
in the timbre of her bestowed voice.
A kitchen that was always full;
freshly filled preserve jars lined up
waiting for burial under the stairs.
Never a smack or curse left hand or lip
and no drink, but tea or bourbon crossed them.
Her breath was mint julep kisses.
A big broad crocodilian state
that demanded best behaviour.
A strong, strong, leathered bag
of a women who held us hard
at arms length, we'd dangle.
The furniture owned gran's house,
sock wearing chairs would growl
in the timbre of her bestowed voice.
A kitchen that was always full;
freshly filled preserve jars lined up
waiting for burial under the stairs.
Never a smack or curse left hand or lip
and no drink, but tea or bourbon crossed them.
Her breath was mint julep kisses.