My Grandma During the Cuban Missile Crisis

Kennedy is on the radio but she

has mouths to feed, bottoms to wipe.

Only twenty four, she has three kids

already, all under the age of five,

and a husband working all hours

of the day and night. What concern

has she for armageddon? No time

to dwell, with that pile of laundry

at the foot of the stairs. A division of labour –

that’s what this is. Let others sort

the world out; she has teeth to clean,

shoes to put on, meals to prepare.

For what is the world for, if not

for love? And where is love

if not within these four little walls?

Joshua Seigal