My Mother Always Warned Me - Donna Shomer

Mother always warned me:
“Sugar catches more flies”
It was her mantra –
long-legged and lovely
olive skinned –
thick black hair
braided over her head
like Heidi in Jewess form
or pulled tight back
in a clip –
Mom had plenty
of sugar.

But I was angry –
red-headed
squinting and fair skinned
prone to sunburn –
and this was maybe
the most infuriating thing
she could possibly say.