For Aunt Lily

(A Spoken Word Duet)

 

[Paul]

Dear Aunt Lily —

Bathtub is a sink,

trips to the park,

a little red fire engine,

Greek cooking on the stove.

 

You took care of me

when Mom was out modeling,

posing for painters

so, we could survive.

My father — absent, he was gone

But you —

you were there.

Taking care of me

 

[Aunt Lily]

You were so little,

hair so blonde

blue eyes like the morning sky.

I remember your curiosity,

your laughter and sparkle

it was easy to love,

to love the little you

 

[Paul]

You dealt with my mom —

she was a wild child,

beautiful and fierce.

You helped her hold the pieces together

when everything felt like it might fall apart.

 

[Aunt Lily]

Your mother — oh, she had fire.

She danced with danger, head in the clouds

Her poems full of light and dark

and I loved her for it.

I helped to ground her in love and friendship

She lifted my heart

I loved her so

 

[Paul]

You knew my grandfather,

grandmother

my uncles too —

the whole tribe before I understood

how it all connected.

You held the stories.

You held the line.

 

[Aunt Lily]

Your grandfather’s patriarchal commands,

your grandmother’s laughter and spirit

your four uncles naughty and silly —

I remember them all.

I was part of the fun and rhythm

that messy, loving family

was full of life

 

[Paul]

We lived on Bleecker Street,

Memories are clear

Long walks with you

to Washington Square Park —

the pigeons,

the musicians,

the smell of roasted nuts and rain on cement.

You held my hand,

kept me safe

in the heart of the city

in the wild beats of life

 

[Aunt Lily]

You looked up at the buildings in awe.

The city was loud,

but your wonder was louder.

We were two souls walking through the music of life.

 

[Paul]

And sometimes —

we’d go out to the restaurant,

just you and me.

I couldn’t pronounce all the words

I remember the soft light,

Your loving care

the clatter of plates,

the feeling of being seen,

being loved,

like I belonged there

because I was with you.

 

[Aunt Lily]

I wanted you to feel safe,

to know that kindness was real.

You were my little blond boy,

bright and full of hope.

 

[Paul]

My sister’s namesake.

My godmother.

My other mother.

My mom’s best friend.

Wise, Loving, and Kind.

 

[Aunt Lily]

Your mother and I —

we were dreamers trying to survive.

Painters painted her

She was a romantic and lived in her dreams

When she needed me, I kept the home warm.

Together, we raised hope

Friends for life

She was my best friend, full of sparkle and spice

 

[Paul]

You were there for me as a child —

Did I say thank you then?

Now I do, again and again

 

[Aunt Lily]

Thank, you dear Paul

You always have —

with your art,

with your heart.

 

[Paul]

Now, so many years later,

I see you —

still loving,

still radiant,

still caring for others

a champion for the neighborhood park

still you.

Aunt Lily

A beautiful being

 

[Paul]

And I see you —

a man now,

but those blue eyes still shine.

The boy from Bleecker Street

still lives in your smile.

 

[Love Reminds Us]

Some memories fade —

but love remains

 

[Paul]

And you, Aunt Lily,

have stayed with me

your love and care

all this time.

 

[Aunt Lily]

And yours, my dear,

has never left me.

 

[US}

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I love you Aunt Lily!