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Grandmother's Breakfast Table
Cream cheese French style but made in Israel
hints of garlic, dill and Galilee and
how Eran and Rotem, now in Melbourne
would choose La Vache Qui Rie instead
Loaf of black bread baked this morning
with sour cream from brown cows milked
while listening to Galgalatz*. Grandpa recalled
how Moish had promised to be back
within two years – but that was
before he met Sheree and bought that
house in Burlington VT
Each year the postcards and the emails
come on time with birthday wishes and
a jar of Vegemite she loves to spread
on toast. The avocados are so huge and
soft right now, she wrote, do you remember
how you loved the strawberry jam I made?
Four kids and twelve grandchildren, she’s
lost count, helping herself to honey gathered
in a neighbor’s farm – their photos smiling
decorate the walls and on the fridge held
tight by magnets blooms some childish art
They’ll never come, she murmurs, clearing
up now, or if they do I fear I know exactly
when. Shh says grandpa coming through the
garden door – come, I’ll help you dry the
knives and forks, put the plates away
*Galgalatz – Israel Army radio station
© Johnmichael Simon
2013
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