Earliest Recall

© Elizabeth Larrabee

The darkness of early dawn.

Rushing to the waiting ambulance

in Mama's arms

my tiny body clutched to her breast

Hot, throbbing.

Wavering between life and death.

Please hurry Mama.

From crib to curb

along the alley?

that black canyon that lay

between rows

of triple decker tenements?

I look up at winter-chilled stars.

Hot, throbbing.

Hurry Mama.

Doctor's waiting at the hospital.

Is this a dream?

No dream.

Scarlet fever rages like fire.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

A lifetime later

the only remnant

is in the heart-scar

An off-beat tick.

An occasional murmur

to remind me not to let go.

© Elizabeth Larrabee

Earliest Recall | Lady Slippers | How Poor Were We? | Free Food

The Smaller The Bigger | Mud Flats | Speaking of Smells | Random Pieces

Growing Up the Hard Way  | No Bogey Man | Green Apples | Poor Buster

Up and Down | True Friends | Moving | Rosie's Hangout | Crystal Ball

You weren't so Hot After All | Haunts | On Acting the Way You Feel | Amen

E-Mail Liz Larrabee