The Natural

the time they wanted to keep Alan’s death from you

they must have forgotten

all the places your mind visits

in and out of consciousness

galloping along at warp speed

they must have forgotten

but you never did

you knew all along

you both winking your secret jokes to each other

composed and celebrated songs together

you knew all along

you always did

they wanted to relish

the modest artistry and charm of your plays

the profound perception of your words

your precise thumb tack awareness

of those brilliant corners

where your chaplinesque inventions fermented

and when they wanted to emulate your recipe for joy

the treasures your heart encased

the kindness in your eyes

the vibrancy of your smile

your willingness and brevity to experience curiosity

your humor and acceptance of confusion and disappointment

your inclusiveness and sisterhood,

they must have forgotten that your Grand Canyon heart accommodated anyone and everybody,

forgot about your automatic charisma 

beloved and savory as Jerry’s boardwalk ices,

your automatic smile endearing your family and friends

all that without you breaking a sweat

and they wanted to take lessons from you

how to volley from the baseline

backhand

forehand

ripping line drive serves

bowling 200s

swimming endless laps

diving headfirst into Florida pools and Rockaway oceans

and they wanted to take lessons from you

how to play stick ball

ice skate around The Rink at Rockefeller Center

ski down Spruce Peak  Stowe Vermont,

and bike through Julie Bakery streets

Bronx tenement sweltering summers

absolutely all that without you breaking a sweat

yes, you were the natural, Aunt Doris,

a 72-year role model for Sam

60 plus for Yankee, Doodle, and Dandy,

and for the rest of us

generations gone and here today,

you'd been the natural 

wife and mother, sister and sister-in-law,

aunt and niece, cousin and friend,

neighbor and child

so thanks for all the memories and the laughter:

for setting tables with the shiniest spoons and forks

for serving the tastiest cookies and legs of lamb

for picking and serving the sweetest fruits

for all of us to your house 

announced and unannounced

any time day or night

all year long

all your sweet life long  

July 26, 2015

Delray Beach, FL