The Blues
Mom said she cried and cried the day her baby brother died
The day he died she felt cold as stone
The day he died the stove in their railroad flat didn't light
In Hell's Kitchen gangs called her Guinea Girl
Mom didn't yell Mick, couldn't say that
Mom said she'd go to hell if she didn't pray
She said Nonna wore garlic to keep the devil away
Mom said Nonna made her stir and stir the thin soup
She said the gangs on 48th screamed go to hell!
Mom threw hot potatoes at their heads
She heard them yell Dago Girl you smell
Mom said she wore the same smock every day
She washed under her arms at the kitchen sink
She rubbed her skin raw with old lemon skins
Mom kissed Nonni to death when he gave her fresh rolls
She felt warm beside Nonni delivering ice
She danced and clapped the day he gave her a china doll
She said the doll cracked to pieces when she dropped it on the tiles
She moved the china scraps around to play pretend
Mom forgot the cold, she didn't cry, she saw white daisies on a hillside
the poem to begin my new book out from FinishingLine Press
the book is titled The Dark Inside my Hooded Coat
