Memories and flashbacks Childhood. . . Grandma Spoiled Peaceful, country meadows Ponds Spaghetti O's Roast beef, beans and cornbread Homework her third grade education Finding me with n Strangers When my mom decided to go on drug fending binges from city to city The swingset I wanted The mudpies she ate The sacrifices she taught me of The determination she instilled The cold mornings she made fires Warmth, breakfast in bed Kittens, clotheslines, and the never ending biscuit bowl that I never understood how it remained full day after day. The plaits I hated yet love now The smell of her clothes How she sashayed when she dressed up Her anger Sitting in the porch with our dog Spot Princygal the cat Late night peanut butter cookie baking The sign in her wall that said Life is one fool thing after another Love is two fool things after each other That I read over and over again until finally I understood. Everything clean and cooked by noon