Spool of Tears
for Leslie Vanderpool

beauty in a cup
offered just a sip of it
sipped politely, sipped quickly
like holy communion cup
up to my lips

bit of wine for me
cup she offered, easily
I could have emptied
I couldn’t be greedy

unexpected,
cheek to kiss
when so many cheeks,
because of family members murdered
washed in tears
broken hearts in bosoms,
heaving, sobbing


© Obediah Michael Smith, 2007
1:49 a.m. 25/11/07