Southern Summer Evenings
 
Sitting on the porch after
a hot, humid summer day
rocking
back
and
forth
on the swing made for two.
My mother's feet cooling
their tired selves off in
a pot of well water.
A bowl sits in our laps
filled with crisp green beans
farmer's style
no chemicals
rich full-bodied fleshy vegetables
grown from mother nature's
natural womb.
The ends broken off,
the full fleshy green beans
being prepared for a southern meal
in a farm house kitchen
coal furnaces
in the center of each room,
not needed on a 105 degree day.
My mother - looking at me
me looking at her - each
a reflection of the other
in a life mirror.
Snap. Snap. Snap.
"Gingy" she says as we continue
rocking
back
and
forth
the 85 degree breeze a refuge
from the controlling heat.
My mother
and
me.
 
-- J. Humm Rhee
3/19/00

© Jennifer Rhee All Rights Reserved 2000