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Wink, by Mary Stebbins Taitt

6/15/2021

16 Comments

 
Picture
Portrait of an Old Woman, by Rembrandti (Netherlands) 1654

Wink

for Nicolina Ciaranello and Robert Ciaranello

My grandmother’s face comes into focus in the mirror above the sink, 
in the slowly fading shower mist. She winks at me, then stares 
and smiles. I gasp, step back, lean forward again. The last time 

I saw my grandmother, more than 55 years ago,
I was sixteen, and she was dead. She appeared at my bedside 
that night to say goodbye, her touch electric and full of love. 

When she faded, I roused my parents, who said nightmare.
But no, she had departed. She created a meteor of love in my life 
and left behind a barren crater. I remember the smells 

of manicotti, lasagna and pizza baking, the tastes of honey balls, 
the cookies she called “gloves” because she molded them
over her wide thick hands. I loved her “surprise cookies” 

with hidden treats. Sometimes, even a quarter would be tucked inside.
Beans climbed poles in a garden where mica sparkled in the soil.
She heated my morning cereal with coffee and always had a safe lap

and tight warm hugs. When I last saw my brother, 
he told me I looked more like my grandmother every day. 
I snapped, “that’s not a compliment,” then flushed 

with shame, as if, despite my love, I’d betrayed her.
Apparently, with that wink, that gleam of eye, that subtle smile, 
she forgives me. But she’s gone again, and it’s only me,

looking back at myself from my grandmother’s face.

Mary Stebbins Taitt

​This poem was written in response to Portrait of an Old Woman, by Graham Brindley, not to the image shown above.

Mary Stebbins Taitt lives in Detroit and has an MFA in Creative Writing in poetry from Vermont College of Fine Arts where she also did a postgraduate semester, which included a Poet’s Trip to Slovenia with the poet Richard Jackson.  Her poem, "A Jungle of Light," was nominated for a Pushcart Prize.  She was chosen for McSweeney’s Poets Picking Poets.

​
16 Comments
Mary N Taitt
6/15/2021 08:03:46 am

Thank you! I love being part of this wonderful Zine. <3 :)

Reply
Mary
6/15/2021 08:27:36 am

Beautiful description of the passing of generations.

Reply
Alinda
6/15/2021 09:08:34 am

This poem so beautifully captures the realities of love and betrayal and human foibles. The Poet is a master, much as Vermeer.

Reply
Mary N Taitt
7/20/2021 11:46:50 am

Thank you Alinda for your extremely kind words!!!!!! <3

Reply
Warren
6/15/2021 10:54:30 am

Beautiful description of a loving, creative woman who was deeply connected to you and you to her.

Reply
Mary
6/15/2021 11:39:27 am

Thank you Mary, Alinda and Warren for your very kind and sweet comments!

Reply
Nadia Ibrashi
6/15/2021 05:03:07 pm

Beautiful moments, exquisitely captured, I love the tenderness and wisdom.

Reply
Mary N Taitt
6/19/2021 09:51:16 pm

Thank you so much Nadia for your very kind words!!!!

Reply
Bonnie Despain
6/15/2021 05:15:27 pm

Such warm memories which strikes a chord; that moment when we didn't fully appreciate the one who made those memories with us. Such love the regret doesn't need to mar. Love this, Mary. You continually amaze me.

Reply
Patty Roker
6/15/2021 06:58:18 pm

Through Mary's words, I am transported to those wonderful smells and tastes of her Grandmother's kitchen, the safety of her arms and the way love transcends even death. Thank you, Mary.

Reply
Me
6/16/2021 12:17:54 pm

A Touching, informative Story

Reply
TKO
6/17/2021 09:51:59 am

Awesome! I see the truth of it. And baking was certainly part of our grandmother's legacy.

Reply
Joan Hall
6/17/2021 03:09:09 pm

What wonderful memories. I could feel the strength of the love your grandma had for you. Beautiful.

Reply
Mary N Taitt
6/19/2021 09:52:19 pm

Thank you all so much for your kindness in leaving such nice supportive comments!!!! :) <3

Reply
Marie Rivet
6/22/2021 02:03:54 am

Wonderful poem, Mary ! You were very lucky to have a grandmother.

Reply
Mary N Taitt
6/22/2021 08:27:15 pm

Thank you Maris and everyone who took time to comment. This poem is about my paternal grandmother. My maternal grandmother died six weeks before I was born. I was indeed lucky to not only have a grandmother, but a grandmother who loved me. <3 <3 <3 :)

Reply

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