Rosa had died.
\nEveryone heard about it.
\nOver the fence details were shared.
\nFor a moment there was silence
\nin that house.
\nThe family gathered.
\nShe looked so small, dead.
\nLike a child.
\nThe sons gazed.
\nAnne her daughter, the only one,
\nwondered.
\nThe screen door clapped
\nlike Rosa\u2019s voice,
\nbut then was quiet.<\/p>\n
Somehow, Sicily was dead.
\nThe trees disappeared on its hills,
\nand on a hillside,
\na little girl wandered.
\nMama! She called.
\nPapa! She cried.
\nHer Sicilian dialect returned.
\nWhere was everyone?
\nShe was six years old.
\nShe was Rosa Bova.
\nA big girl.
\nDon\u2019t cry. Don\u2019t cry.<\/p>\n
Another child came up the path.
\nHe looked familiar.
\nWhere is Mama? she asked.
\nWhere is Papa?
\nAs if the boy would know.
\nHe had such bright eyes.
\nLike stars, like lakes.
\nThere were tears in them.
\nHe sat down as she approached.<\/p>\n
I am Peter! He said,
\nwithout being asked.
\nHe seemed shy.
\nShe nodded. She knew.
\nAs if they had played together.
\nShe was not afraid now.
\nI want my Mama and Papa, she said,
\nand Peter suddenly giggled.
\nThey are coming, he said.
\nRosa nodded, she trusted the boy.<\/p>\n
Am I going to school? Rosa asked.
\nPeter nodded.
\nI\u2019ve been there, he said.
\nIt\u2019s nice, all the kids
\nknow how to play.
\nThey have magic glasses
\nGlasses? said Rosa.
\nPeter waved his hand.
\nYou put them on and see things, he said.
\nYou can take things apart
\nand put them together
\na different way, he said grinning.
\nIt\u2019s fun.<\/p>\n
Will I see my children again, asked Rosa.
\nYou will see everybody Rosa, said Peter.
\nThey\u2019re all there.
\nRosa thought Peter was handsome.
\nYes, said Peter.
\nAnd you grow up again,
\nthis time perfect.
\nRosa laughed,
\nthen said seriously,
\nI want to go home, Peter.
\nThe little boy smiled.
\nI will take you home, Rosa.
\nAnd a great burden left Rosa.
\nAn old woman\u2019s anguish disappeared.
\nThose around the bed exclaimed,
\nshe looks like a little girl!
\nSmiling!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Rosa had died. Everyone heard about it. Over the fence details were shared. For a moment there was silence in that house. The family gathered.…<\/p>\n