I like what you did here and hmmm?  Will need to ponder losing that first line.  On EP I have it separated by a double space.  Let me roll it around.  Many thanks. BTW, great Dickinson quote.

Oh, I vote for keeping the first line. Especially with the line break. It lends a certain quirkiness to the voice, and with the dashes it reads like a false start, the speaker starting the story in the middle and then backtracking. It establishes voice very well, very soon. I also like the repetition of prays in last S but agree that she could be cut.

Grandma prays to the Lord,

she prays for illumination and pays
three hundred and fifty to spring


B.

You know, I am kinda fond of that first line too.  Hard to give up the little darlin' but "she" has been taken out.  Thanks.

Sherry

In her poem, 'Family Business', Sherry brings out one of those truly southern stories we like to tell over the backyard fence, or on the front porch, or standing in line at the Piggly Wiggly.

The language is conversational, the poem is both humorous and pointed, the opening line informing the reader that something scandalous is about to be told.

It is Grandma, though, who proves to be the lifeblood of the poem (as well as the family).  We know it pains her Christian beliefs to have bail out her daughter who has committed what is surely a sin in the Lord's eye.  Grandma knows blood is thicker than water, for that too, is something her Bible tells her.  In the end, she realizes times have changed, and not necessarily for the better.

The mark of a good poem is the reader's ability to recall lines long after they've read it.  I dare you to forget 'Aunt Laurel smokes weed --'

Tim

Actually, it  was meth and Auntie Laurel's claim to fame was a feature on 48 Hours and a trip to the pokie.  Poor, poor, Grandma. May God rest her soul.

Thanks, Tim.  Gotta run and stir the grits. :)

Sherry

Great choice, Tim, and for all the reasons you mention. Maggie

Hi Sherry:

Great poem!!! Good to see your work again.

(and from our last conversation - I guess you are not a figment of my late afternoon's imagination).

Best Always,
John 

Johhn!  Not a figment at all!  Great to see you here.  Thanks, Maggie.

Sherry

Congrats, Sherry! Tom

I like how the weed of adulthood regresses into the greens of childhood.

Wonderful front page pick.

Thanks, Tom and Lavonne.

woooooo-HOOO! 
 :) happy to see this, sher-bear!