Ruby At End of February Tunnel (Sorry, only Jello.)
Here’s a February kind of poem I’m reposting for dVerse Poets Pub open link night. (The picture is at least new, and I’m about as proud of it as one can be of a picture of jello–)
Wondrous
We flew out there, then drove.
My mother, who despised gum chewers,
snapped hers loudly, pushing herself up to the wheel
as if it were the chin rest
at an eye exam.
Though my grandmother lived in Minnesota, the hospital
was in Iowa. When the rental car crossed state lines—
another source of amazement—
my mother, who only drove set routes, had rented a car—
the road narrowed and curved and my mother
cursed all Republicans.
She took the thin gravelly shoulder as
a personal affront; the lip the tires
skidded against was even worse,
an insult to FDR.
At the hospital, my grandmother’s hair cast
about her face like a bridal veil blown back.
She was better already, she said, just
at the sight of us (but we sure shouldn’t have come;
it was too darn hard).
Then pointed to a cup of jello,
which was as crimson, faceted, as a ruby,
and, at first, resisted my spoon.
“Mama,” my mother said.
Enjoy the day! And while you are enjoying it, check out dVerse Poets Pub and the wonderful poets there, and also my books! Comic novel, NOSE DIVE, book of poetry, GOING ON SOMEWHERE, or children’s counting book 1 MISSISSIPPI.
Explore posts in the same categories: poetry, UncategorizedTags: Going On Somewhere, Karin Gustafson, manicddaily, Poem about mothers grandmothers, wonders viewed as child, Wondrous
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ManicDDaily 
February 28, 2012 at 2:28 pm
smiles…a tenderness in this…but also some playful points…the gum chewing and hates gum chewers and cursing republicans is always a plus you know…smiles….great end.
February 28, 2012 at 2:32 pm
Ha!
February 28, 2012 at 5:28 pm
I smiled at that curse too. Some very nice lines, loved the hating gum chewing as she does it herself. The jello in hospital is so true to life too.
Lovely piece of writing.
February 28, 2012 at 5:47 pm
smiles..nice..your mom sounds like quite the character..and lovely closure..
February 28, 2012 at 6:44 pm
Loved it Karin–rather nicely twisted and subtle really in the way it tells its story of family not so much fun—the jello makes the perfect accent. The chin rest is a great punch and that image of your grandmother’s hair as a bridal veil is beautiful.
February 28, 2012 at 8:06 pm
Thanks so much, Joy. k.
February 28, 2012 at 9:56 pm
i remember when my grandmother totally forgot that i ever existed. and she loved me more than anyone, that sucked!!!
February 29, 2012 at 1:15 pm
Both my mother and mother-in-law were recently hospitalized. Wish I had written something like this. It was lovely.
February 29, 2012 at 1:26 pm
Thanks so much. K.
February 29, 2012 at 1:26 pm
PS – hope they are doing better. K.
February 29, 2012 at 4:47 pm
Oh, Karin, this is so good. I love the little touch of sarcasm or irony tossed in with such a poignant poem. In few words you paint the character of your mother in clear crisp details. Love the one about the chin rest at the eye doctor’s.
February 29, 2012 at 5:06 pm
Thanks so much, Victoria.
February 29, 2012 at 7:49 pm
Nice lines here, Karin.
February 29, 2012 at 8:01 pm
Thanks.
February 29, 2012 at 8:50 pm
Gotta that hospital jello! What a card your mom and grandmom. Brought back memories of trips with my mom. The poem has the innocence of the child’s eyes and voice you portray, you. Wonderful sense of person, place, and time. Love the idea of cursing Republicans!
February 29, 2012 at 9:10 pm
Thanks, Charles. K.
February 29, 2012 at 10:56 pm
this is great and your artwork is too cool!
February 29, 2012 at 11:09 pm
Thanks so much. I was very pleased with the jello!
March 1, 2012 at 6:13 am
Oh, I chuckled at the caption under the picture of jello. Starting off with laughter is a true welcome to the poem. Wonderful sharing 🙂
March 1, 2012 at 3:19 pm
Lovely tender poem – a pleasure to read.
Anna :o]