Recipe

Recipe

Lumpy mashed potatoes

the skins still on but

whipped in

along with butter

some Velveeta

and spice

she is a good cook

a conscientious hostess

a minister's wife

and meals at her house

are always a pleasure of

good conversation and a

full, warm belly

He was effeminate

at age nine

more interested

in makeup and fashion

than any sport but

smart—oh he

could list off

the varying shades

of eye shadow, base

and lip color

in any given line:

Maybelline, Mary Kay

Clinique

She worried

but knew if she loved him

enough

lead him nightly

through the scriptures

built in him a desire

to do right

he'd be okay

one summer, his

fifteenth he told

them

he was gay

all he wanted

was to find the right man

settle down into

a long-term relationship

and still be

their son

Tonight

she is whipping

the potatoes

skin and all

butter, spice, Velveeta

into a swirl

of lumps

and trying and trying to smooth

things out

spinning the spoon

with her tired hands

balanced between her apron

and the counter

the bowl hits

the floor

potatoes everywhere

she expects the call to come

at the strangest times

Mom, the blood-test

was positive

Her guests are waiting