Butter Me Up

Way back, when I was only three

and Aunt Loretta sat for me,

Uncle Erwin put me on his knee.

He taught me a crucial skill for life:

how to eat butter off a knife.

When I was little my parents hired Loretta Kleinschmidt to clean house and 'sit' for me on Tuesdays and Thursdays when my mom was at work.  She was strict, exacting, and loved me like a grandchild, and became my "Aunt Loretta."  She didn't drive, so sometimes my mom would get her, but frequently her husband, Erwin (pronounced Ervin) would come to our house to get her when he was finished with his work for the day, as a carpenter.  And that's when I learned about the wonders of butter.  Sadly, but maybe not surprisingly Uncle Erwin died of a heart attack December 26, 1985.  Aunt Loretta is dead now too, but I still remember them both with love. 
And this is for IGRT Sunday Mini-Challenge.  You should go there and check it out!

11th August

     Universal Studios Lot, Instagram by sessepien

At day’s end

 when shadows were long

we’d sit and dangle bare legs

over the edge

of the fire escape.

Looking down on the city

was sort-of magicy.

The smell of

bus-fumes-liver-and-onions-pot-curry

danced through the air

and the tiny people below

softened into vagueness

as the sun snuck off.

You and I would talk about

far away…

   long ago…

      yet to be…

There were forests 

full of green and grey,

swimming pools,

and yards big enough for puppies.

There were dragons and gargoyles 

to be dealth with;

criminals to be fought, 

awards to accept.

We could go anywhere,

do anything,

and nothing could stop us.

Except for mama

calling us to bed.

This is for The Mag creative writing site hosted by Tess Kincaid, and also linked to dVerse open link night.  Click on the links and check them out for some great writing.