1. The smell of Lilies<br />will always remind me<br />of the cotton-stuffed mouth<br />of my Nana.<br />Her eyes stitched together<br />and her arms crossed tight<br />over her pink, microsuede<br />jacket.<br />The casseroles and pie dishes<br />passed from household<br />to household to household<br />to funeral home.<br />The cold fingers with the oversized ring<br />cast upon her hand.<br />Without a choice,<br />or a chance to fight,<br />my Nana was bedazzled<br />for the afterlife.<br />Why bake dinner?<br />Why give rings?<br />Why send flowers?<br />She won't say, quot;
thanksquot;
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