Raë Silva

January 13, 1932 - November 2, 1998

dear grandmother, my nonni 
did your mother brush your long hair?
did she dress you up in the nicest outfit
and pearls
for church?
did she protect your innocence
and child-like wonder?
did she know that you, too,
would have demons?

my sweet rosalie foye,
did your nonni tie up your shoes
and take you on long walks
when the sun was setting
and the world was quiet?
did she hold you tight
and make you feel safe in her arms?

rosalie foye, when you were 14
did you have your first crush on a boy?
did you wonder what your mother and grandmother were like
when they were your age?
did you get your heart broken?
did you ignore your demons or face them head-on?

rosalie foye,
did your mother cook
and put her love into every meal she made?
did she share her secrets, her recipes with you?
did you feel thankful that you had family meals every night?

nonni, oh nonni,
i wish i could talk to you,
i wonder how warm your hugs would be
and if you knew how strong you were
to have made a mother as strong as mine.