Careful

Remembering still
the shy manners,
uncomfortable
country genteel.
inherited social nervousness,
graciously
passed by grandmother,
legs crossed,
hands clasped,
a little
chatter from mother,
easily
warming any stranger,
me, swirling
with emotions
and reactions.
smalltown girl, yearning
for country housewife duties
to pass the day,
the clean smell of
sheets on the clothesline,
the warmth of
fresh bread in the oven,

a mended shirt draped on an ironing board

wishing for what we’ve lost,
they wished for our burden.