“I’m going into Barrington with Tyler”
“What for?”
“To watch The Fireworks at The Tree Lighting
— look what I’m wearing –“
“Let Me get My Glasses”
“My Burberry Scarf — don’t I look cute?
I look like a rich girlfriend
Who gets lots of nice
things”
I feel a momentary gladness
with a song I like on the radio
as I look out My Sliding Kitchen Doors
to The Full Clouds
illuminated by The Sun
in an opposite part of The Sky
The West Desk Window 9:45am
I am experiencing Separation Anxiety
from The Selling
of My Mother’s Island House
She’s possessed for 50 Years —
in the cloak of The Shower
I cling all the harder
to The Little Man
while My Doctor/Husband
prescribes Ativan
The West Desk Window 8:45am
I have put My Daughter’s Name
above Her
on the wall @ The Head of Her Bed
The Name is Mine
in photographs of My Rooftop Painting
within Her Reach
The Tomato-coloured Couch 4:15pm
Last Night I packed up
the back of My Ford Escape
with cartons of dishes from The Shakespeare House
unopened
Eliza’s portable crib & baby blankets
from 18 years ago
My Grandmother’s Singer Sewing Machine
from 50 years ago
2 very good twin mattress pads
from when My Children visited Me —
Their Floral Comforters went yesterday too
along with My Fantasy Bed Set
composed of A Christmas Quilt
& Bright Red Sheets —
They went to My Kind-hearted
Social Worker Friend
Who told me She found A Little Man
made out of aluminium foil
somewhere within the folds
The Tomato-coloured Couch 6:10pm
What does The Image of A Man
signify?
wealth, status
— how much He loves Me —
when He kisses Me in His Office
is He really My Husband
or is He That Dressed VIP
I so desired We wrecked
2 marriages?
Oh Luminous Cloud —
am I the only One Who sees You?
I watched Your Golden Aura fade
& then The Moon peeked out
from underneath
Your Grey Companions
The Hawk Kitchen 5:20am
I just woke from a crystal dream
of watching an elderly Bride
through a car window —
Hunter was with Me in the car —
The Bride was sitting, waiting
in a white wool knitted cap
there was a sign next to Her:
“Wedding Today”
She had smudged fuchsia lipstick
& and black hair beneath Her cap
but She was OLD
–
Her elderly Groom came to Her Right Side
holding a Single Black Rose
with a little brown bird ornament
which He offered to pin on His Bride
She hesitated but was glad to receive It
I watched & I cried
I cried
& cried
The Death of My Mother was the most forceful
Event of My Life
I believe I have recovered
& will not write many more
Dead Mother Poems.
I am planning My New Floor Covering instead
My Husband is up from His Nap
& We’re eating stuffed chicken
Joanna Gilman Hyde 