Stroking Egos at the Retirement Home
by diy danna

The retirement clock strikes
another hour and a patient strokes,
weathered hands still clutching the remote.
Control is an illusion when she spasms
and her senile husband says
what she’s thinking-
“The children never visit anymore.”
then turns the channel to Lifetime.

Sweeter Than Sweet Potato Pie

Cooling her last pie on the windowsill
Mary looks outside and sees Pat playing
with Rusty by the wooden and barbwire fence
and smells the distinct aroma of El Productos
and she sound of J.T. shelling pecans on the porch.
Crick-crick-crack…
She’s back again, the baking angel,
in her granddaughter’s sweet dreams.

for M.M.