The next day
I water Dad’s peace lily.
Gently.
Gently I thank Ruby Frances
for the shopping spree.
I hug Aunt Darnell.
I give Thet my biggest smile.
I invite Uncle Tim to tell me
one of his elephant jokes.
I gently slip an “I love you” note
into Mom’s apron pocket.
And when Jackson slops
orange juice onto my shirt,
I tell him to
watch where he’s going!
(But in my most gentle voice.)