Not in the shiny red Spanish plums
Not in her lush vegetable garden
Not in the jumpy fish so fresh
Not in the blinding whiteness
Of sea salt brimming in storage
Not in the scent of fresh firewood
Not in the sight of the water buffalo.
Grandma’s joy she draws from deep within
Every warm breath for a new day again
Every Bible verse and hymn
Her growing granddaughter
Her first words: “Nanay,” “Lolo,” “Auntie”
Her voice as her first prayer she utters.
Grandma’s joy she draws from deep within
As the crickets sing. The chickens cluck and coo.
And her little girl’s tiny limbs around her.
MLJ28022026
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