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The Lamp

The Lamp

my grandmother

never forgave my mother

for selling the fine China,

the furnishings

and all the antiques

especially the lamp

the one with the hand-painted roses

etched across two globes

of course, there were many things, she never forgave

but these were the tangibles

and it didn’t matter

if the plant had closed

if Dad had lost his job

if the house had to be sold

the white, two-story one on Three Rivers Road

it didn’t matter

if we flew South

if a marriage didn’t make it

if what was lost

hadn’t a thing to do

with what was auctioned off

it didn’t matter

if the fine China,

the furnishings

and all the antiques

especially the lamp

the one with the hand-painted roses

etched across two globes

no, it didn’t matter

if it all came back

it only mattered

to her

and so

Gram,

you’d be happy to know

yesterday

I found a little lamp

with hand-painted roses

etched across one globe

and thought of you

and how I wish …

you were alive

to give it to

TL

Published inTamiko Lowery