Great Aunts Love at arm’s length—one step to the side, then Diagonally down; approachable With deference, their affections informed By if Dad was a favourite nephew, Or Mum that glib, unreliable girl, Who’d led a gullible daughter astray. Cigarette smoke and old-fashioned perfume Swirled around us on entering the room; Posing for photos after cheeks were kissed (and the Cold Cream taste was wiped from our lips). Predictable sightings were seasonal— Christmas Day, and a New Year’s barbecue At a second cousin’s house near Kingston, Or maybe the beach, but you’d never see A Great Aunt swim; instead they would…
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