Preserves

Nervy, sparrow-like, Eyes Cherokee, Blackberry black, Arrow-quick, Picky eater, Lean in spirit, Converted Quaker, She taught her grandson Arithmetic And checkers tactics And let him touch Through her cotton nightie Small, tense nipples. Her hands, arthritic, Knitted doilies, Breaded tomatoes, And put up apples, While the hoarded guilts Made for bright quilts, The torrid migraines’ Counterpanes.