Poems by Claire Scott

A SEASON OF CONTRACTION

body shrinking to under five feet/at this rate I will soon be sleeping in a matchbox
my grandson towers over me although he is only nine/energy shriveling/
naps morning & afternoon/a trip to Trader Joe's out of the question
thank god Safeway delivers frozen dinners like Amy's Thai
Stir Fry that lasts all week/why bother showering
& dressing/shaggy sweats are all that's needed
no point in brushing ten strands of hair
or putting lipstick on crinkled lips
what of surrendering car keys
practicing on a walker
updating my will
winter all year
round

Kindness & Casseroles

I brace myself for more kindness & yet another casserole, my refrigerator
groaning with turkey goulash, chicken tetrazzini, pasta pomodoro,
cheese enchiladas, Mexican lasagna, all of which I take with
good grace, smiling & nodding, (looking slightly upward
& to the left, avoiding eye contact) & toss in the trash
at the end of the week. I eat only Cheetos &
Doritos along with an occasional
hunk of cheese that seems
to be turning green.
I drink a bottle
of gin.

But now excuse me
the doorbell's ringing.
I arrange a smile on my face
stumble to the door to find three
wise women bearing freshly baked
apple pie steaming cinnamon & cloves.
I salivate against my will, invite them in for coffee.