the suitcases came from the basement
they were black
and covered with years of dust.
my father coughed
when he held them out to my mom.
she asked if they were ours
and he shook his head,
running his thumb
along the flower stickers
that lined the side
once glittery and full of color
now dull and tearing.
promising of a past person
who decorated her suitcases
with such excitement and love
her yearning to travel was relentless
though she never got her wish.
my mom gives the saddest smile,
looks back down at the suitcase
and understands.
we return to the day in a daze.
// MY GRANDMOTHER DESERVED THE WHOLE WORLD.
