Diptych

By Toti O’Brien

I allow children within my memory garden
up and down crumbling steps 
eroded by time and weather
trusting the solid grip of their prehensile fingers
their invasive small feet 
carving miniature holes into dirt walls
like milk teeth indent bread.
I let their chirping sound crease the air
like a tangle of thread, kites already vanished 
up high, carried away by wind.
I forgive the naïve cacophony 
of too colorful sweaters, unmatched
shoelaces freely arabesque-ing the grounds.

From above she observes the infant crowd
as she nibbles a slice of smoked salmon.
Her long hair rains over her face
her features knotted in a fistful. 
She asks, since when do we eat fish? This one? 
The habit is recent, I say. Salt embitters my tongue. 
I am swallowing oceans. I am drinking rivers of tears. 
Once we didn’t, I add, aware of a sacrifice 
hungry gods exact and we abide. Perhaps sacrilege. 
Small canoes parse the top of the wicker table
and the fish feels chewy on my teeth
smells suddenly rotten.
Noon briskly precipitates into crepuscule.
I wish she would take her leaves. 
I will rinse the dishes. 

Toti O’Brien is the Italian Accordionist with the Irish Last Name. She was born in Rome then moved to Los Angeles, where she makes a living as a self-employed artist, performing musician and professional dancer. Her work has most recently appeared in Aji Magazine, The Spectacle, Goldman Review, and Poeticdiversity.