Book of Mary XI

Delaney poured out

a family recipe

of healing ginger—

the steam from their cups rose up

as the hot sun took her leave.

“Tell me, Don Yoji,

how do you repay kindness?”

Don Yoji replied,

“I will tell you when my face

finishes recovering.”

Mary sipped and laughed,

turning to Parsley and Sage,

“Will he be okay?”

Sage asked, “Do you know our Mom?”

Parsley burned his lips with grace.

Parsley held his tongue

while Delaney finished her

interrogation.

When the silence of the night

filled the dining room, they laughed.

R.L.P. Auriga

Hempstead, New York