Wine and stories

 
I recommend having a glass of wine
with your conservative, intimidating
mother in law.

Unexpected loose conversation
after a day of travelling strain
performing my best
Being reminded of my faults
through comments from outside
(and why must he join in these attacks?)
And derided by self commentary within
(Why can I not be generous,
putting aside my writing time
for her sake without resentment?)
The connection finally came through stories, of course –
A long-distance courtship on cassette tape,
long before the internet
Wishes and hopes of a young woman
starting a life far from home
and raising the one I love

Wine and stories make it
a little easier to be gracious.


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