The Ladies

Meeting once a month,

Second Tuesday of every month,

For over fifty years the talk has turned

From family, church, and health

To politics, grandchildren, and growing old.

You can see it in their faces,

Hear it in their voices—

The fear of growing old,

Of stumbling into the room

Of the empty house,

Of finding oneself alone, dependent

In the clinic waiting room.

Food cheers them.

Favorite casseroles,

Salads garnished with shrimp,

Homemade mayonnaise,

Rich, sweet puddings,

Gravies dark, heavy with flavor, and

Breads made by hand, sliced, and

Spread over with real butter, and

Sweet tea iced to perfection.

After the meetings,

They go home,

Refreshed.

--September 10, 2013