In the world of
black and white,
there is . . .
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Hairy
Gravy
What's The Use Of Getting
Sober?
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Original Material
Family
Album
-by Jennifer Howard
My sisters are talking
about life.
I rattle the white
bracelets that garnish both my wrists,
as Jean hides in the
shadows and mutters about crawlies.
Leslie is taking notes
in meticulous shorthand scribbles.
Susan stands.
Climbs atop the table.
Squats with legs folded
underneath her and sighs.
My mother wanders out
and criticizes each of us with kind words.
Sandy follows behind
and catches catches every syllable
adding her own
thoughtful bitchiness.
I stand.
I take them all in. I
walk away.
Still my family stays
with me in my head.
The sum of these parts
is mystically not greater
But one girl, one
woman.
Copyright©2000 Jennifer Howard