on inheritance
there are 3 mothers and
their children are asking for
affection in squirms &
untied shoes.
they are old enough not
to crawl, but dirt still smudges
their tiny fingers.
there are 3 black children
in different colors; all left
to their own devices and by
the looks of their under
eyes
they are tired
Sisters with boots
heavier in pounds than
they are in years— 19, 25,
43. black mothers
squeezing their hips thru
the holes in all their
jeans; mothers with
chips for dinner,
and water in their eyes