Kitchen Witch

The kitchen witch still hangs in the window
dangling from a string
along with the spirits
and distant echos

She moves
ever so slightly
as if a ghost had passed
a little too close

The sun shines on her
and on the button
the witch always wears;
“I heart Rhode Island”

Empty rooms
now waiting for new life
furniture marks on carpet
ashes in the fire place

Stillness in the living room
sounds of Jobim
remembering Gamboa
embedded in the walls

The bedroom silent
except for faint murmurs
of passion and love
the children didn’t hear

He takes the kitchen witch
and with one last look
closes the door
and carries her to the car

She sits near to him
on the front seat
next to the bronze box
engraved with pine needles

And the kitchen witch says
“You mustn’t look back”
as he points the blue jeep South
toward the sun.

.

—————————————–

http://karensdollsandstuff.blogspot.com/2008/07/kitchen-witch.html

—————————————-

Antonio Carlos Jobim remembering Gamboa