She wore a milk mustache, butter thick, 
a fish-belly sunburn that could 
make the horizon look pale. 
The Saturday black eye was on purpose, 
a payback to Mama for having to wear 
Sunday tights, eyelet, pin-curled hair. 

Meg's idea of Easter was playing ball 
with stenciled eggs, wearing grass 
on her knees, betting jelly beans. 

During the benediction, 
she prayed for protection 
from Big Suze, thought 
of her potential last supper 
of foul eggs, being crucified 
in diamond dust, giving 
a new meaning to homerun. 

Meg fidgeted in the pew, saw 
the stained glass glow 
flow over Big Suze, She wiped 
her black eye and sang, 
"Lord I'm Coming Home." 



©2000 Peggy Putnam Owen