the frenzy

my mother
and her turkey dinner.
her lasagna
and fat ham, spiraled
and sweet,
her potatoes.
and squash, her peas
and carrot,
her rows of olives stuffed
with cream
cheese.
celery stalks.
the pies and cakes
on the screened in porch.
how the room heated up
with children,
and guests.
sons and daughters
their lives in tow.
dogs. her blue parakeet
in a cage.
nowhere to sit, or go.
someone gets up
for gravy or a roll
and the seat
is gone.
but there in the kitchen,
sweating
in her holiday dress.
her apron
wrapped around her,
her hair done
just for the day,
how happy and anxious
she was
in the frenzy, in the joy
of all being
together, at peace,
snapping another and another
picture
to savor the moment,
to cherish the day.