Mom

By Ashley Crisp

I long for the way you laugh
Dimples curling at the sides
Of your cranberry glossed mouth
Platinum curls framing your face
Bronze shimmer reflecting off skin
Flowers breezing through the room
As you came to wrap your arms around me.

I even miss the plastic Marathon mug
Always cupped around your fingers
Filled with sprite and vodka
Passing out on the couch in the middle
Of Pocahontas singing,
“Can you sing with all the voices of the mountain?
Can you paint with all the colors of the wind?
Can you paint with all the colors of the wind?”

I would give anything for the
Jingling of a random phone call
Exclaiming I would get to see you
Even if I squatted in front of the window
Peering all day never seeing your rusty, tan
Cadillac pull into the drive
At least you would be alive
So I could hope that someday
You would get better and
Be sober enough
To take me dress shopping
And sample red velvet cake
Topped with cream cheese frosting.

For now I will settle for
Our dream meetings
Where we can float above all
The pain of the past
On clouds and have the relationship
We never had the chance to experience
Then I can envision you lighting
The unity candle at my wedding.