SUSAN ROBERTSON

We All Discover the Unity of Time
for Virginia Aileen [1918-2011], my mother


She lies on her back. A sheet covers 
her arms and legs. Her hands lift the sheet. 

Her bed has rails.


			[Aileen 
			walks to the field, clucks to a horse 

			muzzling clover. Old Pearl 
			raises her head.]


The sheet slips from the back of her hands.
Her fingers pluck the air.

			
			[Virginia 
			twirls in her blue silk dress.]


The wind lifts the sheet I peg to the line.


			[Old Pearl raises her head.]