Mothers and Sisters

1990s Florida summers

spinning laundry quarters and keys

meeting the laughing sun in the window

the woman's eyes are as wide as the sea

haircuts on linoleum tile

garbage bags from the church filled with jeans

family of five two bedroom apartment

the woman's world comes apart at the seams

mothers and sisters teach me to be

as emotionally intelligent as thee

I can still see you stand

muscular and sweet

cracks in your hands

reaching out for me

you were a light

of the strangest color

but so bright in love

more than anyone

Wednesday Sunday nights driving home

a choir of dashboard lights sing her face

the pavement is a mirror a river

the artery we've been blood for these days

1990s Florida summers

speaking in tongues while the radio plays

I can still see you stand

muscular and sweet

cracks in your hands

reaching out for me

you were a light

of the strangest color

but so bright in love

more than anyone

mothers and sisters teach me to be

as emotionally intelligent as thee