Happy Birthday Mabel

It's my grandmother Mabel's 111th birthday. Or would be. Mabel who slid dollars under the table to my mother when they thought I wasn't looking. Mabel who danced with the Thanksgiving turkey in the living room to the delight of my grandfather. Mabel who taught us all to hula after her trip to Hawai'i. Whose body was all circles and curves, whose books went on the treelawn after she died, whose piano I must rescue, whose secrets slowly revealed themselves. Who died in 1966, whose daughter died 20 years later, after having shared too many of the same menthol smokes. Who also lived on Clark Avenue. Who also got out.