Harriot West
Eugene, Oregon, USA

Winnowing

i

Phil was dull, Charles too accommodating, Bill flicked crumbs on the dining room floor . . . and she wonders why I stopped introducing her to my boyfriends.

dandelions
I try to remember a time
before
mother told me
they were weeds

ii

I was elated . . . until he said but we're leaving for the Peace Corps in two months. Then came the long drive to Connecticut and a doctor's words that left me hollow . . . I can fix that.

dandelions
I close my eyes
before
blowing seeds
into the wind

iii

An aide swabs my mother's lips so deftly. He tells me I can do it, but I can't. Mother hates it when I hover . . . and besides I'm remembering that time she said why don't you have children? What did I do wrong?

the meadow
stippled with dandelions
maybe
it's okay
to hug her now