Memaw
by Kristina Underwood
Waitin’ on the yeast dough to rise.
Got chores to be done and lunch to make.
Watchin' the little ones playing outside.
Kabuka pantin' like she was dyin' of heat stroke.
Gotta git more ointment for that dang dog's ears.
Who ever heard of a dog bein' allergic to flies?
It's a good dog tho' and protects them kids,
No matter how many times they pull her ears.
It can have the leftover stroganoff I made earlier.
“Kristina! Git off that ole' stinky dog before it bites you!”
She's a handful that one.
Gotta' threaten her with the switch just to make her listen.
Always runnin' around and gettin' into things she shouldn't.
Dogs love her tho'. She's always been that way with animals.
Got a fierce temper tho'.
Like Brinkmeyer,
Always blowin' hot and cold.
He may be an ornery ole' hanyak,
But I promised before God to be his wife until the day I die.
That was many many years ago.
Nine children, ten pregnancies, countless drunken brawls ago.
God gives everyone trials to increase their faith.
He's pulled me through, that's for dang sure.
Thank you Lord for your mercy and love.
I sniff the air.
Dough's nearly risen.
Time to bake bread.