No Southern woman eats.
She serves. She insults her own cooking.
She shyly accepts compliments.
Make sure you use this image of the Lady Sheridan, 12th Duchess of Somerset,

distinguished ancestor.

Thunder in the morning: tangled curtains, slamming shutters.
is a sign of dark times. We wait for it to get worse.
Starvation breeds strength.

(We knew we needed punishment.
We earned despair.)

 

 

 

 

The star of the confederacy did not shine.
It burned.

But shame is anger in disguise.

Dark colors,
small prints

Don’t look “big through the hips.”

Don’t be loud.

Smoke but don’t eat.

(Drink after the children are asleep.
Argue late, in hoarse staccato jabs.)

Gloved hands, hat on head.

My ancestors were a polite, educated people.

“Planters,” doctors, teachers, lawyers.

This is not my mouth, but it could be:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My mother’s father was a great man.
He was admired before, during and after the war,
despite persistent racism.
My mother’s grandfather was a great great man.
A doctor in the war.
Dr. A.E. Williams, did “yeoman service”
for the Methodist Church.

 

He purchased (or inherited) 25 people.
He imported people from Savannah to Charleston. 

Use this image:

Observe the folds and staining of this delicate document.
Observe Jane and 4 children.
Observe Isaac who is “black.”
Consider Rachel, who is “yellow.”
Ponder Dr. A.E. Williams, distinguished ancestor.

Always say thank you.

Never eat bread.

Leave before you hear someone say
“It is late.”

____________

Read our interview with Maggie Rosen HERE.