Our Family History

it was the green tupperware

   olive container

she missed the most

silly, maybe

                                            it was tall, square

   a strong proud green

   with a sieve at the bottom

   you could pull up slowly

   with the black oblong olives

   sitting happily on top

   draining the Mediterranean

   robust marinade of

   pure olive oil

it was almost a ritual

going to the market

scooping up a plastic bagful

of the trees' ripe fruit

bringing it home, then

after filling the tupperware

pouring the oil over top

the lid firmly pressed

   shut

(c) maria L. 5.27.11