97poems/anna

ANNA

Something about the Franciscan ware
fits her life,
its sturdy shape and weight,
the realistic color of the blooms
around the plate,
the twisted copper handle
she holds to pour tea.

Something about the Franciscan ware
fits her life,
the way she bends to lift the heavy gourds,
green and wet,
to see if they are molding
against the damp earth,
trying to predict
which ones will mature.

1997