trying on my mother's shoes

heavy as stone and never ending
the firewood carried daily
from the forest
the countless buckets pulled out
of the village well
at night
moon's wry face
reminding of undone homework
at school, teachers punish
working children
to silence in the corner
dozing off or annoying dry cough
forbidden
even the fingers' mute play
with imaginary toys
at home, no time to waste
start the fire in the oven, milk cows
comb grandma's hair
scrub smoked pots and pans
and at all times dreaming
of running
shoes


Published in the anthology "Air Out / In Air

21 Poets for the Guatemala Stove Project"

Edited by Pearl Pirie, Phafours Press, 2011