Untitled

Untitled

By Rosalind Guy

There were always too many of us

sharing that one space

Big Mama never turned anyone

away

never enough love to go around

but always adequate space

as long as we were all willing to

share beds and clothes and adult relatives

love was

roof over your head

food in your belly

a yard to run around in

the space in Big Mama’s bed

between your two cousins

reserved

just for you

but sometimes

one of the adults living in the house

would go to the store and

buy me just one pack

of my favorite candy

I would go down into

the basement that smelled like mold

and sometimes urine

so that I

wouldn’t have to share my candy

one thing I could be selfish with

this is how I love

you

I always want to keep you close

enough to smell your

perfume, candy-coated sweetness. To drink in

the elixir of your smile. I keep

closing the door to the world

so I can steal away with you

and keep you

all to myself.

Peace & Love,

Rosalind