Nata
Jack Foley
[Total Pages: 4]
Foley Page 1

In memory of Nata Piaskowski
1912-2004


not brooding but some
activity of mind
behind
your smile:
your small size
(always looking up!)
your large eyes
not inquisitive
but demanding
your old world elegance
your awkwardness
"So how are you?" you asked
greeting a friend at the door
in your pleasant, deliberate English
He answered grandly, gesturing with his hands,


"flourishing"
you didn't understand
hesitated
and asked again
he answered, with the same gesture,
"flourishing"
still not understanding,
you ushered him in
I saw that hesitation
often
you wished the world
to go smoothly
to proceed with the grace you imagined
to be part of your vie bohème
and yet
things happened
things you couldn't control or account for:
flourishing