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“To Maryat, My Aunt,” “Cold Blue” and “River Stones”

In Issue 41 by Mary Dean Lee

Outrageous, abundant woman,
spirit of fire, spirit of thunder.
You sang fugues to me as a child,

rocked me to sleep with your stories,
made grand entrances and exits
in a black Russian coat,

befriended the egg lady, painted
a black Christ crucifixion for her country church.
Your presents at Christmas were books

or piano music, giftwrapped in old newspaper.

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