out SASSA-Athlone way
queuing along with others
I remember

(is it the age this
wonderful phase)

She reminds me
a UWC colleague-past did
of my mom serving
tea and delicacies
to us on my 40th

our English teacher mom
whose mind retired

teacher-mother-activist
studying Adult Education
after her stint at the school desk
(this for herself her own
enlightenment not-for-profit)

teacher-mother-womanist
who inspired shaped
liberated and decolonized
the mind

(tea and delicacies
a phrase deliberate
in its choice)

She reminds me
20 years on
I share with staff
out Belthorn Primary way

a generous surprise spread
in the offing there

(much as I try
I can’t escape it)

She reminds me

An old Randy Crawford ditty helps this one along, as I remember, circa 9 July 2018, whilst queuing in Athlone’s early morning winter-darkness.