by Cheryl Boyce Taylor
Saints Singing Pretty: Pork Browning in Butter
In memory of Susie Jackson 87
They say in summer limes are sweeter
sliced and doused in a jar of blush wine
white rose petals, strawberries
tart and prickly pears
at church blue haired ladies with wrist gloves
clutch their handbags too tight
breath of Jesus on their lips
summer breeze makes Christians happy
imagine a stone kitchen
stout magnolia tree outside its window
lush smells of green hair pomade gleaming
one cup hot oil bubbling on the stove
at church, service is long
wooden fans swirl lazy round and round
saute’ garlic and onions in butter, one jalapeno
pepper add grilled beef wrap in banana leaves
peel green plantains, slice diagonally
fry plantains in hot oil turn once
hear the saints singing pretty
nodding side by side summer breeze make saints happy
prayers waltzing off the scattered
pauses of their last breath
Miss Susie’s perfume a mixture of baby powder
and blue geraniums that morning when we kissed her
her prayer stool smooth redwood
draped in shawl of olive green
stained glass windows
with their retinas shining
at home in the stone kitchen
we brown the pork in garlic butter
salt and pepper chopped onions carrots
zucchini birthday dinner must be fine for Miss Susie
after church she will serve hugs to everybody
we will dish out that meal and belt Stevie Wonder’s version
outside her stone kitchen
a darkening afternoon breeze
kisses her face
stout magnolia tree waving in wind.
Note: The Charleston terrorist killed mostly black women.