Poem #4 for Fall, 2015, Creative Writing

           Villanelle for Grandma

“Look” is all Grandma says, and she says it tons.
She speaks in the same pre-written psalms.
In short we have different prescriptions.

So pure, so pure. She sighs and shuns
the world. Her hiding keeps her calm.
“Look” is all Grandma says, and she says it tons.

I prefer to write my own definitions
and accept the world with two open palms.
In short we have different prescriptions.

She dedicates to daughters and sons,
to modesty, prayer, and giving poor alms.
“Look” is all Grandma says, and she says it tons.

All I do is joke and attempt the puns–
with no malintent to hurt my grand-mom.
In short we have different prescriptions.

And tradition continues for all eons.
The corpus of the old works we embalm.
“Look” is all Grandma says, and she says it tons.
In short we have different prescriptions.

                                                 --by Rivka Hia