Neighbors to the left were Jones.
The right, maybe closer to us,
Paulette, and mother Pearl Hicks.
Some cannibal of kindness,
An oyster’s prize plucked away.
devourer of minds,
Me and you and she astray,
Maybe some don’t know or feel
But I think about her, in my way.
Lost and alone, but found her way home.
sign in the yard, for sale, she sees,
but no but no but no
pleading, softly, until it speaks…
Oh hun, the past is passed,
and this time, we’re playing for keeps.
Pulling of hair, snapping of sticks
They carted her back, poor Pearl Hicks
Like blinking lights
I still see her there
See you all, still there
Hold you in my arms
Hold all of you near
my family, like families before
and families since
Cursed with nostalgia, or blessed
I’m constantly paused, transfixed.
Forever, I will see you there
Carrying us Into the ether…
Two.
Two.
Two.
Six.