Happiness

Pearl was with child.
She knew the signs
and they showed.
She knew why.
She was happy.
What else mattered?

Across the way
beyond the field,
her cousin Tom waved,
Drusilla waved back.
She thought of mama
when out of her sight.

Tom took Lil home,
he made her dinner,
they drank until
he went over and kissed
her and she followed
him toward his bed.

Belle was back
on her back
though on top
as much. Work
was work.
Someday maybe . . .

Pearl’s sister Doll
married to Jeff Clifft,
her husband’s brother,
worried Pearl
and Drusilla
knew no happiness.

Manuel Romain
came back to town.
Van Buren is next
to Fort Smith.
Horses in the city
among the walkers.

Manuel Romain
wrote a song
he sang to her now:
Pearl in the sea,
Come home with me,
no need asking why.

(12 October 2012)

copyright 2012 by Floyce Alexander