DAY 8 ~ MOTHER'S HELPER 1953

(Narrative, free verse)

MOTHER'S HELPER 1953

We had a summer babysitter named Margaret,

the only daughter in Mrs. Steinberg's family of five sons.

One day, when Margaret came to watch us

we gathered leaves berries and grass clippings from our yard,

stirred the concoction with lake water and twig sticks 

in Mother's shiny new copper Moscow Mule mugs, 

pilfered from the shelves off the bar in our basement.

Then Margaret went home.

Days later, Mother found the disgusting Witches Brew

fermenting in the now ruined mugs.

Mother didn't like Margaret after that

and never had her back.

Father said, thank god 

Margaret didn't make our darlings drink the mess!

Then Mother really didn't like Margaret.