Susan Mason Scott

Granddaughter

You’re a tarot card not yet dealt,
tea leaves infusing in the womb,
an impression brewing, a whiff of honeyed milk,
a dream. Aren’t dreams like wombs?
Dark and gauzy, the dim entrances—amniotic
eyes—surrounded by an opaque adobe coat,
gourd-shaped like the architecture of Swallows
crossing a sleepy bridge lit by the moon,
you’re a shadow in a crèche, covered with vernix.
When your forehead pushes through
with a stork-bite shaped like South America,
the mark of generations arrives—like a Swallow—
bright as a taillight and wet with dew,
your scent like newly sown soil,
your father swoons for you. At wing-flapping speed,
his arms swoop to embrace you on your nascent path
through the small neck of your mother’s gourd,
a tarot card turns over: THE WORLD
the tint of green tea to your eyes.

Susan Mason Scott is a grandmother, poet, and retired adult educator. She lives in Madison, Indiana, and has been fortunate to live in several of the United States, Sierra Leone, Nicaragua, and Italy. She was awarded first place in the Nebraska Poetry Society Open Poetry Contest. Her poem was chosen by Leah Naomi Green. She has appeared in several publications. Many of her published poems appear on her website: susanmasonscott.com.