My Grandmother's House is Green

My Grandmother's House is Green

pale, slate green

and inside,

fried eggs, bacon

old wood cabinets,

pulls that rattle

dusty lipsticks

in the drawer corners

worn dolls

in closed rooms upstairs.

From the landing

I see my mother's calf

coming down from the knee

crossed

as she sits talking, my aunt

calling her

"Sissy"

they laugh

it's late

the room is blue

and flickers

from the silent TV

the news is over

and they are laughing high and

long and loud like girls.

I peek around

the door frame

from the hall

unable, if seen

to make a quick escape

with sock feet

on the polished floor boards

she is crying,

she is laughing so hard.

This is my grandmother's house

where I sit at the table

until I'm excused

don't ask

for anything

don't complain

about anything

where I sneak under

threat

of another spanking

down

to see who kissed these dolls

who wore these lipsticks.