__

Every  Spring  Passes
 
Daffodils marched around the box where she lay.
Daffodils climbed a makeshift trellis.  Daffodil
yellow spilled out of wicker.  Daffodils crossed
and curved into hearts.  Their pollen yellowed
the dust the preacher kept saying she was going
back to.  Daffodils have no smell whispered.
In the backwater church where she lay not moving
or saying a word about the awful pink dress,  
daffodil musk mixed with five-and-dime perfume,
hair grease and the salt from tears.  Too much
wood and rows of dusted-off hats.  Irises
were from a neighbor's yard.   More blue
than purple.  She liked purple best.  And me.
The big rose spray with all the white stuff
the woman she ironed and scrubbed for sent.
Her mother worked for the woman.  Her mother
like a mother to me.  Her sobs hurt my eyes.
No way out I could see.  Child moves wrong,
people see.  Only time.  Her mother saw the good
in us.  Pretended I, too, was the apple of her eye.  
Now she was bent.  Tears were adding dots
to the dots where daisies once splashed
her mended, mismatched skirt.  What an ugly
casket, someone said at the viewing.  Girl
lighted up a room, let me tell you.  Good who die.
The Sickness had pitted her skin.  So pale.

Whoever was in the box was smooth as cream.  
Someone painted her orange.   Pink and orange
clash  with yellow, wood-brown and air grey
with steam.  Too early to be this hot.   River
carries in the smell of fish.  Only 21, only 21,
only 21,  buzzes fly-like behind fans with Jesus
on one side, rules on the other.  No one told me
you could die.  Sudden trip back for a funeral.  
Whose? I asked.  Hurry, Mother said.  Have to
wear your Easter outfit.  On the bed.  Keep
it clean and carry the purse I bought.  Get going.
I forgot the purse was on the pew.   Yelped  
because it hurt when I sat.  Long ride back.   
My nose was stuffed up and I couldn't breathe.  
Fever hit that night.   Tonsils, the doctor said.
Have to yank 'em.   Say it is pollen now.

 

For Patty and Mouse
(c)  Phyllis Jean Green,  Summer, 2006
            All Rights Reserved