Mamaw Ruth lived at 1305 Hinkle Drive with Papaw Allen
who took his teeth
out at night and sometimes ate grapes
with just his gums
and there was always honeysuckle
behind their house my favorite tree
and preying mantises. The crepe myrtle in my hair
sure was hard to prune, Papaw always said
and on those nights I got to watch some HBO and stay up
late
she’d scratch my back and sing
Que sera, sera…
the window unit air-conditioner conditioned my sleep
and in the morning always
scrambled eggs
bacon
Tang
chocolate milk
strawberries
Mamaw Ruth’s slippers slapping the carpet down the hall.
Filed under yum cupcakes!