#katherinehightower

by Katherine Hightower 

I always knew we had 

magic in the family.

I just thought she’d 

outlive us all.

Her memorial service

was the last day of summer,

everyone was handed 

a loaf of bread

and a jar of kumquat jelly

as they left.

A turquoise collection

larger than New Mexico

divided between her 

grandchildren,

soon to be stored in shoeboxes

at the bottom of closets.

They smiled when we entered

in our mourning attire,

dusty worn out slip-on shoes

and black pants two sizes too small

in the middle of August.

The ride home in the car with my dad

was silent.

I think I killed Aunt Zelda he said