THAT DARK
We showed her grandmother
the treasures we found
at one of the local thrift stores
where we shopped with our meager
undergraduate funds.
She said she likes a bargain too
but avoided that shop,
It’s too Frenchie.
My mother tells the story
of a homely Irish aunt who warned
that, if she marries my father,
their kids will be dark.
My mother held her tongue
and didn’t say, better that than
looking like the likes of you.
When our first wiggled
out the cesarean slice
she looked raw and unhappy.
Someone asked if she
was going to stay that dark.