while we play about our mother’s feet
potatoes spill from their netted bag
across the countertop
knife in hand, my mother chooses a dusty one,
washes it, turns it, strips it to pale flesh
brown peels fall into the kitchen sink
with a nimble pivot of her hands
her simple red blouse is tucked into jeans
dark hair loose around her face
she smiles, cradling a large lumpy potato
as the kitchen curtains, sky-blue, flutter around her
and our father, bending to the adoration
—takes her in his arms
Shutta Crum
Shutta Crum is the recipient of 8 Royal Palm Literary Awards (FL) including for When You Get Here (gold). Her poems have appeared in journals such as Boulevard, Acumen, MER. Nominated for a Pushcart, her 3rd chapbook came out in 2023. Her books for young readers include many in verse. www.shutta.com
