she had
Polish blond hair,
Ukrainian cheekbones
the nose of invaders to the steppes
an accent out of Ellis Island
a cuisine of peasant fare
the skill of tatting and embroidery
the work ethic of immigrants
the storytelling of the uprooted
the songs of the balalaika
the memories of church festivals
and the Madonna
she kept some treasures, she discarded others
she melded the rest into
American Quality
