Weekly Dinners

I am trying something new and am going to be posting some of my poetry.  I will probably post the same poems more than once, over time, as I revise them.  Since I am just beginning, I welcome all comments.  Thanks! 

Weekly Dinners (Draft 2)

By the time I make my way into the kitchen

the copper bottom pots are churning and bursting, 

peas are bouncing and 

the ham is caramelizing in the oven

the antique serve ware rests on that same blue table cloth

and without her speaking a word, 

I move to place the napkins, 

folded in half, underneath the knives

tuesday nights seem a little more quiet

there are only two of us tonight

there will only be the two of us from now on

between my days spent in school or at work

and her days spent watching t.v. or reading a book

we don't have a lot to say, nothing has changed 

she does tell me that her eye sight is getting worse 

and that it hurts to read

after Wheel of Fortune spins past us

and Jeopardy makes us think a little too hard

I help with the dishes and then hug her good bye

my hands are strong from youth

her body is weak from old age

I can only hope that Grammy will be around 

for our dinner next week

As I walk out the door

I turn and look around the empty room

her cat is sleeping in the arm chair

our imprints are disappearing from the cushions

and the wall heater is warming the house for one