[128] Moved

She used to smile wide and reveal an orange rind

her long hair—grey and straight—gently hanging down her spine

She'd make us laugh—bringing her light to an ordinary day.

And when my throat scratched and cough rumbled through my say

she'd sneak me a bit of whiskey to take my misery away—

She would call me when my 'wee lad' stood at the side door

And wiggle her teeth to make me smile once more.

She used to live boldly through her life

then one unremarkable day—her breath took her away

—a faint memory from an earlier life, that for a moment,

moved my thoughts and opened my heart

—on this random, windy, summer day.