she came in through the bathroom window (remix)

by Eileen Murphy

slip-sliding over the sill

like a seal

wearing her lime & lemon

housedress

my grandma waddles up to me

as i’m drinking day-old coffee

working on the computer

leaving a wet glistening trail

behind her

on the hardwood floor

she clasps me close

damp & smelling

like the sea

till I relax & hold her

round the waist

till I know I’m hugging

the same old woman

i loved who died

now she’s in the kitchen
fixing salads for our supper

though she never eats

a single bite

* * * * *

A former Chicagolander, Eileen Murphy now lives 30 miles from Tampa. She received her Masters degree from Columbia College, Chicago. She teaches literature and English at Polk State College in Lakeland and has recently published poetry in Thirteen Myna Birds, Tinderbox (nominated for Pushcart Prize), Yes Poetry, The American Journal of Poetry, Rogue Agent, Deaf Poets Society, and other journals. Her website is mishmurphy.com.