sky with a flock of clouds
to the southeast

my mother tucks her name
into her skirt pocket when asked

pretends she is a young girl
with rolled-up stockings
whose photo everyone wants

Her hair ribbons are missing

Years ago she wore
a merry-go-round dress
that spun sunflower seeds

a memory she carries
like fresh eggs from the market

I tie the strings of her hat

The sun burns a hole in the lake
she doesn’t recognize me
as she dances back

I never knew she could shimmy
shake up a room wear
a bonnet that flew to the moon

Clouds run past the sun

She smiles at no one asks
for the chocolates and flowers
her lover didn’t send her

Even the dog knows
she cries in her sleep