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