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She Brought
Me A Peony
by Barbara Crooker
its pale ruffled petals edged in pink,
its heart of gold stamens,
its scent that tints the air
around it, says May, says
white wooden porches, tree-
lined streets, says women
in flowery dresses, lace-
edged handkerchiefs
rolled in their sleeves,
says iced tea with mint
leaves, albums of snap
shots, white scalloped
borders, black corners
with the mucilage
coming off, pictures
of relatives and friends
whose names are forgotten,
but whose sweetness remains:
the way this one told a joke,
her recipe for lemon bread,
how he forgot his own name
by the end, but remembered
all the horses on the farm:
Sweet Boy, Charlie, Peony Rose. |
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