Ardelle Hirsch
images & words
Auntie M
On the day I was born almost 74 years ago, she was there. And thankfully she is still. A sassy storyteller, magnificent mentor, and comedic confidante, my Auntie M.

Early on there were bees
everywhere,
a small turtle imprisoned
in a plastic windowsill habitat,
burnt scrambled eggs,
and soft buttered toast
dipped in coffee,
and Taffy my dog.
Cinderella and her carriage
nailed over my bed,
a tattered merry-go-round lamp
powered by a 25 watt bulb
held carousel horses
prancing in circles
all night long.
She was there too
someplace just outside...
At 19, not five feet tall,
a blouse pulled too tight over breasts
too large for her tiny frame.
Echoey footsteps repeated
urgent hollow sounds
as she climbed the
steep apartment stairs,
her clickety-clack T-straps
covering toes keeping time
to inaudible music.
I waited for her by the door
Her funny stories, forbidden words,
sweet perfume, hot laughter
floated through thick smoky air
in family kitchens
bracing for another round
Kinetic energy surged through
generations of heavily curtained rooms.
Saucy, authentic, steady,
she loved everyone, judged nothing.
Her songful voice splitting prisms
of affirmations and joy.
She was happy.
Now scuffed tap shoes
sleep silently by the kitchen pantry
near dented canned foods,
expiration dates on each and everyone.
A faded paisley blouse
leans on her body
no longer bright and saucy,
shrouded in wrinkles that cannot be ironed away
Her life-spirit still buoyant,
irrepressible, perfect.
Bumpy fingers bake brownies
clean a closet wash a floor knit a scarf,
infusions of emotional hydration
for her spirit.
Close by, a bulging plastic binder
boasts of her undeniable
significance, tutelage, presence -
all the letters she's sent to me
spanning more than half of my life,
a gift from me on her 90th birthday.
Her handwriting and she beautiful still
Her place in my life
Incalculable, inextinguishable.
No artificial sweeteners
No artificial ingredients
All natural
All there
Always
Auntie M
