Tear Soup

In a large crock pot
I combine the memory of our time together.

I read aloud each of her favorite prayers
then tear by tear
I drop each one into the cooker.

Next a chocolate Easter bunny;
its ears go in first
followed
by the piece of its body.

A squirt of her favorite perfume;
memories of driving across the desert
on our way to Disney Land
followed by It's A Small World,
Space Mountain,
and the Light Parade.

I add a jar of green salsa,
a cup of hot black coffee,
a glass of raspberry ice tea,
strawberry pie with ice cream,
the words to I'm a Yankie Doodle Dandy,
and an evening spent at the Shark Reef
in Las Vegas.

The last ingredients
are copies of her poems,
memories of the Nineteen Day Feast,
and Holy Days celebrated
at the Baha'i Center
or in the homes of friends.

I stir all this together in the crock pot
and let it cook
until the tears come to a boil;
of course,
it always takes longer for the tears
to boil
then any other liquid.

Now it is ready to serve
or put in the freezer
for a later meal.