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Venera Fazio


Legacy

my mother cherished embroidered linens
more than fine china, crystal or university degrees

in Sicily
from the age of five
her mother
yoked her to family responsibilities
harvesting merlot grapes
reaping winter olives and citrus
wrenching weeds through sun-baked soil
made her care
for younger siblings
when she yearned
to perfect lazy daisies
to impress a future mother-in-law

my mother wanted a daughter
to ribbon, stem and satin stitch
rather than me
my tangled French knots
inept fingers caressing books