Always smelled of
pine scented cleaner, diluted with
well hidden salty tears, produced
by the agonizingly reserved reality
of unfulfilled dreams. She
humbly accepted her fate.
I often focused on them, her hands
that disciplined us
with love, that always
made the bread and daily meals
stretch with frugal acuity that managed
to last longer than
my father’s frequent and
truant domestic absences, she was
amazing like that.




I hope you do well in the contest 












28 old applause
