Henrietta

a woman bred from German roots
judge and jury, settled disputes
you took in strays and nursed the sick
cared for others through thin and thick

you shouldered all the family weight
made sure to fill up every plate
Sunday meals fit for a queen
your kingdom had everything

tradition built out of routine
back then, we didn’t get the meaning
each moment spent, a precious gift
climbing trees and box car kids

the orange chair we called the throne
that odd-shaped vase we genied from
homemade donuts and red velvet cake
no limits to the games we’d make

your home a haven, the safest space
cousins, uncles two blocks away
Sunday church and Sunday school
we must abide by grandma’s rules

the veranda and the davenport
she shimmered in the light of order
oh the hats…and oh that dress
layers of tassels built of silk threads

a feast for nine only Sunday the cause
memories of recipes cataloged
faithful. forgetful. no part of her first
others came asking not seeing her worth

prayers each night, in German no less
weekend cartoons and all day recess
climbing trees and building forts
sounds of laughter and sometimes hurt

i wish i had more time with you
my younger self had no clue
how valuable those lessons taught
wisdom that I wish I’d sought

you helped to raise up five of us
so many lives beyond you touched
i wear your essence like a shroud
unconditional love, without bounds

“thank you” never covered it
i’ve missed your hugs ever since
so quickly memories slipped away
more and more til none remained

at the end, your transformation
tears our silent standing ovation
a solid foundation of family
your soul manifests as my gravity