"Pa's Lament"
And so her ma dresses her up
all pretty-like
in that sunsuit
and ruffled bonnet
and sets her down
in front of me,
"Ain't she pretty, Pa
take her picture!"
And of course
i smile
and put the camera
to my eye
and try to capture
that cowlick
the stubborn smile
and those dimpled knees
all the while
thinking about
sun-parched crops
economic downturn
unsavory neighbors
and world wars
wondering how
her pa can
possibly protect
all that sweetness
from the world's
hard.
(C) Carol Wilcox, 2016
1 comment:
I tried to get Pa's voice. I tried to write Mama and Papa in two voices. I had to settle for Lizzy's letter-to-my-younger-self.
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