“Delores (Part One)” by Esther Cohen
My friend Delores
she’s 82 beautiful
missing a few body parts
doesn’t let that get
in her way
makes money
cleaning houses
handsome lover named Jim
one good leg
that’s enough for me
said Delores she got a big turkey
for 8 dollars at Shoprite
invited some people made 3 kinds
of cookies
including pumpkin oatmeal
my friend Delores says
she’s grateful
for what she
has for what she imagines
tomorrow will be
for
the time she danced
with Rudy Vallee
cute cheap bastard
she said grateful
for dancing with Jim
on Fridays when he can come to visit
his one good leg is better than some peoples two
said Delores
for her leopard skin coat
she found
when she cleaned out an empty house
for her five children some of them call her
for the dollar store she found her favorite
biscuit mix just a dollar for her mother
god was she fun said Delores she had a bar in Harlem
five husbands maybe six her mother danced
every day of her life.
So does Delores.
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Esther Cohen Artist Statement:
Esther Cohen is a writer and cultural activist who has worked with hundreds of groups
around the country, from migrant workers to Filippino nannies, helping them tell their
stories.
