For Edith Helen Gyger Dodge (1916-1996) 
                     by Marie Eaton 

On the day she died,
I pulled the dusty box of photographs
from the back closet
and spilled the years
onto the table.

Hair clipped tightly back,
six-year old gazing solemnly
across her book.

Slender girl,
in spit-curls and white lace dress,
resting
against the new roadster.

Hair tossed back
against the summer heat.
Bride, laughing her joy.

Wife,
grinning at husband,
hoisting the fish
with two hands.

Child-cradling mother,
looking back over her shoulder.
Piano playing, singing, singing, singing.

Standing front and center
in mandatory holiday photos.
Children grow
taller.
Grandchildren appear,
finally grouped
around her chair.

Sorting through these captured memories,
I touch my mother's hand
again.


Copyright Marie Eaton, 1997
For permission to copy, contact the author: eaton@henson.cc.wwu.edu

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