How Many Strokes of Cloth
does it take
to remove silver plate from a copper tin frame?
I rub the cloth over and over spreading
silver on whimsy of bamboo and flower
remove silver plate from a copper tin frame.
The maple syrup pitcher iridescent green
silver on whimsy of bamboo and flower
fingers cramp clutching fabric.
The maple syrup pitcher iridescent green
Great-great-grandmother Mary Kane McCoy
whose fingers cramp clutching fabric
silver plated pitcher in a covered wagon.
Great-great-grandmother Mary Kane McCoy
traveling from Pennsylvania to Iowa
silver plated pitcher in a covered wagon
with husband, Thomas, and their three children.
Traveling from Pennsylvania to Iowa
imagination limited by youth did not dream
Thomas and Mary, Michael, and Ella -
dust in their lungs water food.
Imagination limited by youth did not dream
burnt bread bruises from rutted jolts
dust in their lungs water food
Ella coughing into her apron.
Burnt bread bruises from rutted jolts
husband fearing their leaving
Ella coughing into her apron.
Mother father brother sisters beyond the overland trail.
Husband sweating their leaving
maple syrup pitcher iridescent green.
Mother father brother sisters beyond the overland trail
How many does it take?
(Red Ochre Journal)
