Apricot Infusion

Before

Elizabeth

came to Earth

the angels gathered round—

Her grandmother, her relatives:

Loved ones from the past

They took the scents of memories

that we once had with them

and crushed them all together

and painted her with them--

The memories of summers spent

on Uncle Laurel’s farm,

and those of helping Melva can

the halves of apricots…

The tree of papa’s mother

that stood beside the shop,

where we would sit upon the roof

and pick the apricots…

And then there was our own dear mom

with her own apricots…

We laid them out on screens and sheets

to dry them in the sun.

I’m sure those angels

painted her with skin of apricot,

then gave her cheeks a rosy tint

from rosebuds in Mom’s garden.

When the painting time was through

they must’ve given her a bath,

And when the angels dried her off

I bet our mom was there…

creating clouds of glory

with her giant powder puff

as she powdered her with lavender

before she sent her down.

And Grandma must have hugged her

and rubbed her little hands

infusing her with chamomile

and other grandma smells.

So when you look at ‘Lizabeth

and see skin of apricot,

or smell the scents of lavender

and hints of powder dust,

or feel the softness of her hands

that smell of chamomile…

Remember those who loved you once

for they remember you.

They sent you gifts through Lizzie’s skin

to say they love you too.