Talking with Wilma
Whoever bought you this teapot
(and I know you did not buy it
for yourself, perfect Japanese china)
leafy white poppies lying
against an aqua background
bound by bands of navy,
white waves and blossoms
dancing around its circumference
knew elegance. It sits
on my decrepit white stove
gleaming
waiting for tomorrow’s tea
and I want to talk to you
about disillusionment
in a way we’d never been
able to do in real life
and yet I hear your voice.
“Oh, girl,” you say
launching some story from
your own time. And
it’s always the right story, some
somebodydonesomebodywrongsong
that sets the stage for acceptance
and moving on. Here we are
the teapot empty, waiting
for tomorrow’s conversation.
- Trudy Wischemann
In 2007, Trudy Wischemann devoted much of her time and energy to Wilma McDaniel’s care while she was in the convalescent home in Tulare. Trudy kept the rest of us abreast of Wilma’s health in weekly emails. Appropriately, we include Trudy’s recent poem in our space saved for Wilma.
For addional information about Wilma Elizabeth McDaniel's life, poetry and prose, check out: http://www.back40publishing.com
