Granny’s Guide

Once
when I was younger
picking
shucking
popping peas
I asked granny
‘granny’
I asked
‘how do you love a man?’
Granny
she of quirky hats
looked at me
squinting through swirling smoke
knowing grin on her lips
sage nod.
‘Girly’
for that was her name for me
‘girly it is easy
you make sure he is smart
not smart mouthed 
book smarts.
You make sure he is handsome
not like a movie star
handsome never fades.
You make sure he is kind
not only when you are looking
but when others can see
and you cannot.
You make sure he makes you laugh
for tears will be aplently.
You make sure he loves you
will be there for you
hold your hand 
stand for you
otherwise your home is an empty nest.’
Gathered up her gardening
into the house we went
granny was teaching me
old family recipe
handed down
liquid sauce
gold in these here hills.
My face is weathered
my time grows short
here
my own inquisitor
asking the same as I…..
Granny told me
‘take all these parts 
quilt them together 
with your love
with his love
happiness the thread
sorrow the truth 
but girly’
she looked at me
piercing steel eyes
‘always remember this
it is hard work
not easy
ain’t nothing good 
that comes from easy.’
Wise words to live by
wise words indeed
passed along
granny
to
granddaughter
always.
©April 22/20
Picture via Pinterest

Hello…..

Hello…..
is it me you are looking for?
Lionel 
is that you?
High
low
searching
wondering
can I?
will I?….. 
find you
looking in the cupboard
one
two
shit
down to the last roll.
I stalk the streets
heeding whispers
listening to rumors
on the hunt
on the look out
for that elusive creature
the one that keeps me clean
oh my
Toilet Paper
when did you become god
when did I need to reserve
just a roll
to ensure
I had what I need
when in need.
(Grandma…..
lesson learned
going forward
toilet paper shall be bought 
on sale 
never ending
so again 
never shall I face this plight)
Oh my
it makes me giggle
it makes me laugh
look at me with disdain
I do not care
last I checked
this ain’t no ass illness…..
respiratory.
Lungs.
Lungs people.
‘Dem t’ings y’all breath through.
(sad
 sad
rhyme
sad
sad
accent
I hear it better than I speak it
smile)
Never
not in a million years
trite as that statement may be
did I ever think
that toilet paper
would become more sought after than gold
that limits would have to be imposed
but:
can you spare a square?
Just one square?
Homage to Lionel….
Homage to Seinfeld….. 
Please do not sue me
Please….. 
Cease and Desist……
much better….. 
cause 0% of 0%…..
well……
it equals 0%…..
unless you do the new math
than it could mean anything. 
©April 10/20
Picture is my own
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