Pommes de Terre

Marie Lacroix in a cashmere sweater,
Sitting on a sofa,
Talking with us about Russia,
The people standing in lines
To buy shoes and socks,
Potatoes that were small and spoiled,
Tomatoes with bugs,
"Vegetables of unsuitable quality."
She smiled when she talked
Because she was shy.
She has lived alone
Since her mother died.
She runs the yarn shop
That her mother started and left her.
She doesn’t get along with her brother
Or sister-in-law.
The inheritance went to her
She was sick from the fighting
That came with the inheritance.
She gave them the money.
Everything except the yarn shop.

Two men are talking in the fine arts gallery
About the woman with whom one of the men
Must share the affection of his wife.
The men are confused by the living arrangements
Proposed by the wife’s lover.
Nothing static in the living process--
People seeking freedom--
This conversation could be happening anywhere,
Not just in a museum in Paris.
I’m reminded of what you said,
"I love you with all my being."
And change within each other’s words, intonations,
Gestures, senses, actions.
We tell each other who we are.
We communicate our love to each other.
We make a language particular to our lives.