The HOUSE up on the hill seemed to SHUNT all the bad vibes away. The neighbors constantly marveled at the family’s good fortune. At least, that was the case until Aunt Agnes came to town. With her tight gray curls, gray floral dress, gray cardigan, and battered brown suitcase, she moved in and changed everything.

Georg’ann

The children have GROWN,
as happens. And yet part of me
NAIVE, barely able to comprehend
their capabilities. How long ago
I prepared their LUNCH, tucked in
a note, later tucked them into bed
with stories. Strokes and kisses
across foreheads, curls of hair.
Laughing together at movies
with HUNKY STUNT men,
latex suited vixens or doe eyed
Ingenues. Now wait for word.
Adulthood a SHUNT, diverting
bloodline flow in new directions.

Heather