Bubu wanted a motorboat & a life in Australia.
But life was waiting for parcels that never arrived
With photographs of absent grandchildren.
Bubu’s daughter looked for her mother
In the blackberry pie baking neighbour
Her children called Aunty
A woman with only one son who never gave her grandchildren
And put her in a nursing home.
Bubu’s granddaughter cared for Aunty
Tried to remember her other aunties.
Looking over a form her son had bought home
“Non-English speaking background survey”
She considered her mother’s offer to come share culture
At the local school
Sent photographs that always arrived.
(c) June Perkins
Gumboootspearlz 