Memorial Day
In my memory it was always sunny
As my mother cut peonies,
White, diaphanous pink, and vermillion,
And lilacs,
White, lavender, and deep purple,
Along with glorious snowballs,
All separated into 1 lb. coffee cans
And quart Mason jars
For grave decoration.
Everyone departed was remembered,
Even friends, no one left out,
Not even the ones who had gone
Before my short life had begun,
A picnic of remembering,
Transported in the back of the station wagon.
At their graves,
Such sweetness in the air,
This fragrance of remembrance,
Saying,
You lived! You lived!
You live on still!