Bubbi, grandmom of my friend Elayne,
Was like a Bubbi to me;
She baked wonderful birthday cakes.
Four layers high, ivory icing,
Dainty red roses, coconut flakes,
A divine cake with a delicious almond taste.
Bubbi, fullfigured, stood five feet high,
Genuine smile adorned her sweet face,
Bubbi's kindness, sweeter than a lullaby.
My kissed fingertip touched the Mezuzah
Nailed to the frame of Elayne's door.
Who would let me in? Bubbi!
'Happy Birthday, 'she sang,
Soft arms wrapped around me.
Never had I been held so close!
My body stiffened
Lifeless as the silver Madonna
That hung from my neck.
Elayne sang Happy Birthday,
Holding the cake Bubbi had baked,
Tears welled up in my eyes.
Bubbi's words, 'Don't forget to make
A special wish, a sweet girl like you,
Your birthday wish will come true.
'Take your cake home!
Before you go to the matinee.
Cut the cake with your family tonight.'
Returned home later
To find my birthday cake half eaten,
Without candles or song.
I remembered the warmth of Bubbi's embrace.
A beautiful poem Joan. Brings back some great childhood memories of my grandmother. She still cooks for me when I visit her but forces me to eat too much food. Now luckily she force feeds my brother in law and he cant help but oblige. Thank you for this wonderful poem and the painting is amazing too.
A lovely story and poem. My best friend as a child had a buubi too and she was a sweet Czech fireplug who cooked amazing things. This brought back some long dormant memories. Thanks, Joan. Peace
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
In life we come across many people we learn from but we cannot forget those who impart our lives. God bless you
One of my goals was always to impact other people's lives in a positive way. Teaching gave me that opportunity. Thank you