Grandma’s Promise
Growing up at Grandmas.
Simple, hardwood floors,
large dining tables and
Re-covered chairs in the living room,
Ornate gifts from Grandaddy
displayed on the mantle of the fireplace.
Large front porch where games were played.
Games played by my cousins and siblings
long into the summer night as
fireflies lit the sky and loud bull frogs croaking.
It was a symphony of noises,
a crescendo of children’s laughter.
The smells of Grandma’s kitchen
filtered to the front porch into our
senses that felt like hugs as we played.
Barefoot and past-down dresses hung lose.
My board straight hair tinted with red was
always contrasted by my sisters’ curls.
When we were small all things seemed simple.
Birthdays were many with 4 grandchildren
living under their roof, we consumed their love.
Love they gave with time and toil.
But, one thing we look forward to
on our birthday was ‘the promise.’
The promise of a birthday cake, honoring
you and your special day.
The day you could wake knowing
the smell in the kitchen was all yours.
It was the scratch cake grandma would make .
Singing all the while she worked,
“Happy Birthday” to you …
Wolf Moon
The morning Wolf Moon
The Celtics cry aloud
It is the January Moon
Among the whisky cloud
The lore of the sound
In distant lone howl
The packs of wolves
Cry out a ral
They bark and whine
And whimper
As the moon rises
They start to skim-per.
All will listen to ancient sounds
Heart beat with nature,
Wolves are around .
CMM © 2022
Winter Storm
A winter storm
Blankets the world
In silent white
Brings the ice cream
Covering in the night
Wake with Angel dust
Frozen to the ground
I venture out to run
And no one to be found.
CMM © 2021
School Days
The world is suffering
Covid has taken a toll
However do not tell
Our lil scholar
Trying to get on the honor roll.
© CMM. 2022
Kitchen is for Dancing
We were young
Music was in our feet.
My older sister and I
left with the chores
of the evening after dinner
to clean the kitchen.
We would wash the dishes
And as we did, we danced.
Rock and roll
And beach music,
the shag was the rage,
linoleum floor.
Our grandparent’s home
and white wash cupboards.
a small kitchen table
With a swinging door to the dining room.
A door we kept closed
So we could dance to the radio
Sitting on the yellow table
Loud enough to get by …
not loud enough to get caught
Elvis, the Beatles and Buddy Holly
Transformed into our bandstand
As we found ourselves dancing
In grandma’s kitchen …
CMM © 2022
Neighborhood Cat
I walk out on the porch
Dark from night skies
The sun still not up
The glow still dim
I look toward the walk
There she is meandering
Right in front of me.
She stops for a minute
Waits to see if I am moving
Of course I do not
After all her purpose is just
As she hunts her early prey
After her short pause
She scampers past me
Knowing I mean no harm
Off under the bush she goes
Into the darkness
Most likely to another house
Making her morning rounds
Not to be seen the rest of the day
I go inside, lock my door
I smile, she does not know me
I do not know where she comes
But, I always see where she goes
Into the darkness
Brave and aloof
Quiet and methodical
She seeks her morning quest…
CMM. 2022
The Children’s Virus
He put his arm around me
Told me it was going to be ok.
This virus will not last forever
It will not stay…
My uncle told me that he loved me
the virus will go away
the vaccines are helping
this virus will not stay.
He will be a friend to call on
or a buddy to play ball
a confidant to share with
the switch games and all.
He put his arm around me
told me it was going to be ok.
The virus will not last forever,
this virus will not stay.
Love
Black Eye Peas
Black eye peas my ancestors would say.
Eat them for luck on New Years Day.
A spoonful, a bowl they did not care.
Leaving the table , you did not dare .
Black eye peas will sit there forever
As it waits, this new year’s endeavor .
CMM © 2022
Tea Leaves
Tea leaves
Float aimlessly
Stirring moments
Of newness
New day
New year
New hopes
New beginnings
Some people read tea leaves
— I just drink them .
2022 © CMM
Eagle and Child Inkling 