a full set
4 plates
4 bowls
4 dainty saucers balancing elegant cups
on the side board with coffee pot waiting
4 bread dishes with butter knives balanced
4 napkins, set on the side
4 goblets above
4 salad forks and 4 dinner forks
4 soup spoons waiting for the tureen
4 table spoons
4 knives waiting for the main course
4 chairs pushed under the
well-laid table, linen cloth like a field of wildflowers sprinkled with embroidery
dainty pink roses with halos of silver
the lingering memory
of grandmothers’ meals
so many meals crafted of love
good times or sad the table was laid
the china set out
the silver polished
and gathered round
the people finished
the set