Clay & Cast Iron - Darlingside

Clay and cast-iron, rum-colored silver sunglasses

White gold, sapphire, and apricot soap

French leather purses and saris with painted-on flowers

The smell of old cedar and jasmine perfume

Fig trees, bottles of milk, and sewing machines

The ring Baba gave you that you used to leave by the sink

I gave you away

You told me you take your Darjeeling black with a scone

And, «Always remove your shoes in a home.»

That I was your shadow and keeper of secrets and standards

«A gentleman’s only as good as his word.»

Ice-skating in Kansas City, Crown Center alight

I said I’d be there in a minute

I stayed on the ice

I gave you away