Pie Making with Mother.

Your mother rolled out pastry
with the rolling pin
her hands pushing the implement
across the board

and you watched
her floured skin work their skill
backward and forward
under the palms of her hands

the thinning pastry
spreading out to an inch of width
until her hands stopped
and she flipped it over

and spread more flour
upon the board
with a flick and smoothing touch
of her hand

once that task was done
she lifted it to the dish
and eased it around inside
and around the edges

with her fingers and thumbs
working their way
in a circular motion
around the dish

then cut with a knife
the over hanging
unneeded pastry
and put it aside

like an umbilical cord
once the baby’s born
as her hands placed in
the stewed apple filling

you said
can I have the left over bits?
pointing to the wasted pastry
left aside

sure you can
she said
moving on with her skill
as you picked up the pastry

and walked away
noticing the sadness
in her watery eyes
and strained voice and words

following you across the room
as you ate the pastry
between your fingers
like a bird of prey.

Comments: 12

Angela A. Jan 27, 2013, 5:30pm UTC

Now, I want pie!

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Terry Collett Jan 28, 2013, 1:37am UTC

Thank you, Angela. Never tasted pie like mother made

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Risa G. Jan 27, 2013, 6:47pm UTC

I can see the pie being made. Cool.

Terry Collett Jan 28, 2013, 1:37am UTC

Thank you, Risa.

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Len Maxwell Jan 27, 2013, 10:04pm UTC

That was glorious because I remember watching my grandmother do exactly that. I also enjoyed eating the raw dough.

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Terry Collett Jan 28, 2013, 1:37am UTC

Thank you, Len.

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Karen E. Jan 28, 2013, 1:40am UTC

I always wanted to work the rolling pin!

Terry Collett Jan 28, 2013, 2:36am UTC

Thank you, Karen.

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Bernard C. Jan 28, 2013, 3:09am UTC

Nice write - some good memories picked up here - I think a lot of folks can relate to moments like this as well

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Terry Collett Jan 28, 2013, 6:59am UTC

Thank you, Bernard.

Barbara H. Jan 28, 2013, 3:33pm UTC

Your poem points up the very, very intimate relationship between child and mother...I've had times like this with my own mom and grandmother..and I often wondered if they could possibly understand how important these very simple, beautiful exeriences become to us as time passes...our lives are, after all, poetic vignettes. Very beautiful and tender Terry!

Terry Collett Jan 29, 2013, 1:45am UTC

Thank you, dear Babs. I miss my mother who passed away last September.

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Pie Making with Mother.

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Comments: 12

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