Family

Woodland Park – 2000

Woodland Park

picnic suspended.

Awaits brother and niece.

Emerald lawn cools

food and our bare feet.

Across the bustling field,

children line

for circling pony rides.

Christopher, my nephew declines.

Uninterested or fearing the unknown?

I wondered dejectedly.

Enthusiastic adventurer, Beija arrives.

“Let’s go!”

Reluctant Christopher joins –

Afraid of being eclipsed.

Poppers 

Crossing kitchen, she discovers Grandma's recipe for poppers. 
Pretty simple. 
Combine flour and water.
  Eight years old.
 Mom makes her first attempt at cooking.
 Grandma's in the pasture
 tending cows.
 Surprise her!
   Grandma returns
 to a flour-dust 
sifted floor.
 Wood stove heatless. 
No poppers popped. 
Grandma's displeased.
  Today, mom huddles in a wheelchair. 
Her family fed and grown.
 Dad has passed.
   Few surprises remain.

* Mom passed in 2007 four years after dad.  A wonderful cook, her repertoire was eclectic and included American, Chinese, Filipino and Italian recipes. She hosted many dinners and her table filled with family, friends, Manongs and local priests.  She made the best apple and pumpkin pies.