the old cherokee

for my grandmother, alvia

Grandma guided the blade.

Her gnarled fingers curled the handle.

The great depression stationed her thumb

As the brown skin shed in a spiral strip.

"Don't peel away the potato."

Her voice broke a silence with 

What was passed down to her,

And her words dripped like pearls and bounced 

Around my sister looking curiously,

Cross legged below her apron strings,

Underfoot;

Watching grandma guide the knife,

Toying with the pearls 

And tucking them into her pockets.

I snapped beans and wondered where the old Cherokee went

To smell the rain,  

To hear the future in wind-song.

Grandma's Cherokee eyes made transparent walls;

Constantly keen to the baby's location

Moving in her sleep.

My mind wandered outside

Where the squirrels barked in the pines,

And crows walked on two feet

When I noticed grandma's Cherokee ears 

Perk as the baby sighed.

I was still learning 

To hear the things

That had never called to me,

Those things that had never wished to be heard,

To smell the rain before it came,

And watch the sky.

Grandma dropped the skins 

Into a brown paper bag

Feeling everything

Below her worn Cherokee skin

And her warm thin Cherokee smile.

Reviews

[Corset]

my eyes are half immigrant, but the air just smells different, she doesn't have to go anywhere, like she knows it will rain if the sun is red in the morning and it will be nice tomorrow if it is red at night, I still haven't learned to make flatbread, nor have I visited a reservation, I don't want to visit, I want to live destitute and contribute somehow, but I don't know how to get there from here, because my eyes are those of an immigrant. Beautiful tribute to your grandmother, maybe some kind Cherokee will adopt me as part of their tribe because my heart sings near the brook.

[DaughterNature]

I think there is a great dichotomy between the solid here-and-now of the potato peeling and the spiritual connection to nature. I don't exactly know how to put this, but something feels a little forced in some of the sentences, not sure what to recommend to smooth it out, but yeah.

[Gypsy Warrior Queen]

I can almost bet that she gave you those eyes...her legacy .....I understand now why your words and thoughts are bewitching .....they shine down on you....ever present....ever knowing....a soulwalker...

[m.s.early]

How beautifully kind of you to say. Thank you so much, poet :)

[Emily B]

osiyo. hello.

the mountains are calling. i always wished i had a cherokee grandmother. there is blood in the family tree somewhere but i have no way of tracking it down.

this may be my favorite of yours i've read so far.

[m.s.early]

The old cherokee windsongs from appalachia keep calling. thank you for reading :)

[DIVYA]

Wow! I could literally feel this write. Great work Xavier!

[Ruth]

There is something so precious about this and your writing always moves me in some manner. A precious ode to your Grandmother hon, truly is, majestical x

[m.s.early]

(: thank you poppy. We're all weaving spells on each other here. I'm glad this touched you. I think this one has gotten the most endearing reviews. Everybody loves grandma I suppose. :)

[Ahena MK]

i wondered where the old cherokee went
to smell the rain,
really really good !!

[m.s.early]

(: thank you so much :)

[Rehan Roy]

These lines make me nostalgiac of those summery days & nights,i with my cousins getting glued to grandma's stories. As far as my conscious memories permit me,I had seen her as a wizened woman with a willing spirit of generosity. You have written an excellent reminiscent tribute for your grandma.

[m.s.early]

(: thank you so much Rehan. I'm so glad it touched you so :)

[Frieda P]

I never knew either of my grandmothers as they lived an ocean away, but I remember stories as such, the imagery here took me to that place in your memories xavier, love that last stanza.

[m.s.early]

Thank you Frieda. Your poems and reviews are always so heartfelt. :)

[Frieda P]

Doesn't get much more heartfelt than your poem here xavier, always a pleasure to visit your page :-)

[Vidya Bacchus]

Quite a touching tribute to your grandmother.Your descriptions are so detailed and vivid .Most excellent Xavier :)

[m.s.early]

Thank you Vidya. I suppose my vivid memories are the easiest to replicate by pen :)

[Vidya Bacchus]

You are welcome Xavier :)