Gumbo

Workin’ ’fore the sun
get the file` in da’pot;
roux come first,
Mammaw wink and say
if it ain’t dark
tain’t right.

Thick as burnt motor oil
when it’s good
Ray stir wid’ his crooked spoon,
get busy addin’
chicken, shrimp,
squirrel if we lucky.

Cook it all the day long
Aunt Nez sittin’ in cypress shade,
Mammaw, Ray,
and all the chirren,
at Joe’s house
waitin’ to eat gumbo.

**

Ruth

The house is smaller than I remember
screen door squeals when it opens,
kitchen’s hot and steamy
when we’re puttin’ up peas

Purple hulls, snaps, and black-eyed peas
we shelled together on kitchen chairs
pulled up to the television
to watch my stories after the noon news

Hanging out clothes in the hot sun
while I chased chickens,
I called out and she’d answer woohoo
to let me know where she was

We ate watermelon on the front porch
Juice dripping off chins and elbows,
Don’t swallow the seeds, child
’cause vines will grow out your ears

Sunday morning was powder and lipstick
Juicy Fruit gum in her purse
I scramble to stand next to her
She doesn’t use the hymnal for Victory in Jesus

Feather bed against the window
still air and the hum of the attic fan
She’s on her knees, Bible propped on a chair
Lord thank you for my blessings

Thank you Lord,
for Ruth.

**

The Slough

Cold black snake
creeping ‘round Cypress knees
behind Mammaw’s house.

Old Moon
won’t look at himself
on top a’that dark water.

Hiding in the voices
of crickets and locusts
saying things I’m afraid to hear.

Gurgle, drip
coming up the back steps
to get me in my sleep.

Rolling through my nightmare
till I’m soaking wet
calling Mammaw to come save me.

Nothing can hurt you
just water
just the slough.

Then how come
when I wake up
there’s black water in my shoes?