If wishes were granted
I’d want to list
The things that have brought me
Unadulterated bliss
I miss my sister
And our manic tickling fights.
She came after me with feathers
In the middle of the night.
We used to Lindy together
And drink Manhattans at noon.
Grandma would serve sweet vermouth
In teacups, with spoons.
She’d bring us baguettes
And spread lots of brie.
Who’s better than a grandmere
With a French joie de vie?
I’d love to go back to the Bronx
To watch Mays and Mantle play.
Put me in Coach,
It’s Old Timers’ Day.
Let me break bread
With Grandpa’s theatrical folk,
Heaving bosoms spilling out of ball gowns,
And men in Italian bespoke.
Once more into the brink
At Daddy’s studio switchboard,
Where I disconnected clients,
And left Bette Davis unmoored.
Can I sneak back to that editorial meeting
When Capote bent gender,
And regaled us with tales
Drenched in sartorial splendor.
I miss Tante Emilie’s letters,
Aunt Marge’s basil with olive oil and tomatoes,
And Mommy’s meatloaf on a platter,
Surrounded by potatoes.
When you reflect on your own life.
And what touched your heart,
If wishes were cookies,
Which one would you want?
By Barbara Shields