Mary McCue leaned into the shopping cart
for a romance novel
and the fat on her arms jiggled
with forty years of loneliness
squashing the three hundred pounds
against her heart.
Just then Huey called out “Mash ready”
and I heaved the triple portion of potatoes to Mary
who handed me a dollar for Huey
all she could manage at the end of the month
until the Welfare check showed up
yet she needed bulk for her belly
thus the heavenly starch.
Before she dug in
Mary poured a half cup of sugar onto her feast.
“I can’t afford cake, Bernstein, ” she said
as I stared, though not wanting to.
Just then Candy, Sugar, and Jasmine
strolled in, the night now formerly finished
with the presence of the local ladies.
Mary watched
their gorgeous and graceful forms
float to the table.
Pockets stuffed with cash
they ordered bacon, eggs, homefries, toast,
pancakes, apple pie, coffee, and orange juice
to show they could
but never consumed the entire fare
and when finished
placed the nearly full plates
before Mary
who smiled
eyes alive with adoration
the gift of dreams.
Always the illumination of the human heart the human character & always with such tenderness, starkness & infinite compassion. A revealing and powerful portrait, A great poem.
Wow Charles, such a creative composure done by a very gifted poet with a completed story in poetic form. You have a wonderful gift my freind. Thank You for sharing both your passion for poetry and a little of yourself. Wonderful Poem. Your Friend, Mickey Pig Knuckles
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
This poem is indeed a plate full of much delight, with sympathy for the side dish of sauce. Thanks. :)