Her life in California,
the garage sales, the
emptying out
the last tag sale.
Mom at the table,
willing to sell lower,
cheaper.
Outside baking under
the California sun
everything she owns
on
this table:
the samovar, the genie lamp,
Dad’s commemorative plates and cups
lined up and
priced to move.
She sells things
she hasn’t any right to
sell. Holding out
her plate, holding out
my scrapbook of stories
for 25 cents.
