Pastel on sanded paper, 12” x 12”, Framed

A More Exquisite Feast

By Rebecca Graves

Tell me your hard truths. I’ll make room 

in my soul. We’ll set the table 

with chocolate and grapes and wine.

Break open our sorrows

like oranges and share the slices.

We’ll remember our mothers,

soothing our sorrows

with crackers of tigers and bears, and speak

the sweets of our youth, ice cream on weekends, 

long night with young men and dancing in public.

Tip our heads back with laughter

at the absurdity of time, as we

link our hands across the table.