My Sister and My Grandson

I have been talking to my sister   she

may not know she’s been dust and ashes

for the last two years   I talk to her

nearly every day

I’ve been telling her about our new baby

who is serious   comical   busy   dark   my

sister   out of all the rubble and grit

that is now her   my sister mutters   what

about our old baby   he was smart   loving

so beautiful

yes yes I said   listen   just last week

he stopped at my hallway door   he saw

your small Turkish rug   he stared at it

he fell to his knees his arms wide   crying

Jeannie   oh my own auntie Jeannie

remembered   ah   her hard whisper came to me

thank you Grace   now speak to him tell him

he’s still my deepest love