Dust to dust to stardust

Today we talked about how
people turn into earth after they die,
just like plants do.
She likened it to the way the garden compost
turns into new vegetables for us to eat.
It’s really healthy for the earth,
she opined.
Sad for the people, though.

A different kind of cocktail hour

We sit in a hot bath.
We watch the steam rise
from our red arms and legs.
We crunch icy cold snap peas
and discuss
–oh, such things.

The whole point

I refused to read her an extra story.
What’s the point? she sobbed.
What’s the whole point of having a mother??
I had to bite back a grin.
I’m counting that as progress.

Luster

Coming home,
the familiar objects seem to glow.
Isn’t everything shiny, Mama? she asks.
And it is.

Home

Has never been more beautiful.
And I have never been greeted
with such loving hugs and ardent kisses
and hydrangeas in my vases and
not one
but two
lasagnas in my fridge
waiting to be put in the oven.
Sweet indeed.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

This is a guest post from Jenny Shih, superhero and

Best Babysitter Ever.

Oh, Jenny, she said.

You are not very good at that.

I can help you.

My mom is a good drawer, too.

We can both teach you.

Click

That’s the sound of clarity.

You know what’s hilarious?

How we each think
we’re so small,
so tiny.

Ahhhhh.

Here. Sleep.
So, so quiet.

Packing when I should be sleeping

Likelihood that I will arrive
with 12 tank tops
and no trousers:
pretty high.

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