Grammy Sally

She did what Dylan Thomas urged his own mother do

Rage

Rage against the dying of the light

She gripped the light to her chest

a tiny birthday candle

from her first cake

baked by Carmela

An orange flicker of flame that

one breath, one move could snuff out

But she held it tight

gripping her most precious names

Mom

Grammy

Those words held the candle steady

and inextinguishable

Until new words entered her ear

They told her

She need not rage more

Mom, I’ll be alright.

He said

I’ll be alright

And so

on the little street littered with leaves

the size of God’s hands

she knew

her light could go out

And we would be alright.

We’ll be alright.