BISNONNA

 

 

The last I saw her was 1955.

An Eminence in ebony.

My Great grandmother.

At 100 or so (Cent’ anni.)

 A Matriarch.

An Alma mater.

A Madonna.

Out-living half of her 14 children.

 A child of the Mezzo Giorno.

An 18^th century culture.

A 19^th century persona.

In 20^th century America,

 Ah, America:

A land of gritty tenements/

A life of true grit.

Leaving the Kingdom of Italy to history.

 A historical presence.

Bridging “Cavalera Rusticana”

to “Rock Around the Clock.”

Pietro Mascagni meets Bill Haley.

 Her children being 20^th century

Italo-Americans.

Begetting a generation of

aunts and uncles and cousins.

 The last I saw her was 1955.

 Requiescat in Pace.

 ©TPuma/MMXXII