Joanne Limburg
Maternity
I saw out my father’s funeral
a shocked guest in my own home,
drinking and passing
one endless cup of tea,
PG Tips! He’d never let that in the house.
and sat on a low chair
doing nothing for myself,
helpless as a queen bee,
He should’ve taken better care of himself.
while the living-room buzzed
with kissing cousins and rabbis
and old long-sighted neighbours,
He was so dashing – I remember his red MG.
taking calls and opening doors and feeding me.
First they brought an egg,
then a bagel, for the roundness of life,
Only last week he was telling me a joke.
and then they filed past
planting the seeds
to germinate a father.
He had such knowledge, but he wore it so lightly.
Since then I’ve eaten for two,
feeling that other person come together
face and voice, inside me.
He was beautiful.
Soon I’ll know him, keep him
as thoroughly as any unrequited love,
or longed-for stillborn baby.
Page(s) 48-49
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