Bessie on a Bench

—Brooklyn, 1954

Honey, light me a match

These old Odessa fingers

hold cigarettes

and empty air

Come, light me a match

I was young as morning once

before I met the sea

I, too, hoped to sing

that “Loves You Porgy” song

My nephew raised a turtle once

eyes near blind

lips as stiff as teeth

It, too, carried a burden

Honey, light me a match

Sing me that “Loves You Porgy” song

Third Wednesday, 2009