Majid Naficy: Empty House

Every Wednesday since Mother’s death
Four sisters get together
In their empty childhood home
To share memories
And make a plan for the house:
Should they sell to developers
For demolition,
Or let it remain and grow
Like the sycamores in the backyard?

Today is the third sister’s turn
To prepare the lunch.
She wants to cook salmon
Which was bought before Mother passed.
But the fish slips from her hands
And slides from the kitchen to the hallway,
And from there to the parents’ bedroom
And from its window out to the pool
Where in summer three brothers
Used to swim
And Mother would bring a bowl of melon
To each one of them.

Copyright 2018 Majid Naficy

Majid Naficy is a Persian-American writer who lives in Los Angeles. His many books include Father & Son published by Red Hen.

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