Family History
Grandpa took himself out
without one word.
His pain, self-contained,
spread across the floor
of the shed.
Its stain reaches
every generation.
Mom slept years away.
I was more her mother
than she was mine.
She gathered cobwebs while
I waited for her to rise,
or—with food and books—
crawled in beside her.
We brought our baby home.
A red jewel, she shone.
She was every vivid thing,
as I went black and white—
how could she be mine,
how could I hold her in my paper arms?
Daughter, my patch of morning sun,
you call, I pick up,
you speak dimly—words
stuffed in a drawer.
I come to you, hold you
in these arms grown strong,
and tell you what I know—
it gets better.
Amy Higgins
Amy Higgins teaches composition and creative writing at Washtenaw Community College and facilitates the newly-formed NAMI Washtenaw County Friends and Family support group for WCC students.