LA FAMILIA

In late summer, she will leave la familia to begin college, and adulthood.

I hope she writes lots more that I can  hide in a secret spot and reread when I am missing her face, her voice, her hugs.

Pieces like this, that I shall treasure forever.

Wishing you, and your familia, a blessed holiday weekend! 

 

LA FAMILIA

written by NJ, Princess of the World 

Candles inside

the kitchen glow

bright and warm.

The room swells as

the last of my aunts

shuffles in.

Hands and hugs exchanged.

Food so much food

spread across counters.

Italian blood inherited.

Passion and noise and temper and drama

belong to my grandparents, to my uncles, aunts, cousins

Compassion and song and warmth and love

belong to my grandparents, to my uncles, aunts, cousins

And

a fondness for food.

Mangia! They eat.

My cousins and siblings smile laugh uncontrollably talk shout and

sometimes my Papa will sit back and

close his eyes and smile and

just listen.

My Grammi will not sit back. Or sit down

at all.

She stands

five-foot-one

and between bites

rages against the politici of the city and country

Quelli Sciocchi  Those fools.

hours until

Dinner is done and dessert is distributed

across the table.

The cannolis are beautiful.

No one can possibly eat anything more

and

yet -

dessert disappears in moments only.

The Sound of Music

echoes through the family room.

My aunts drink wine and

sigh and

sing out

somewhere in my youth or childhood...

My mom dances.

My uncles roll their eyes

and mock the nuns.

My dad laughs, long and low.

Parting is such sweet sorrow

Hands and hugs exchanged.

Slowly slowly

quiet.

Salute la familia.

I watch and listen and love.

There are no others

quite like these people

I call

family.