Short Skirts

By A.M. Muffaz

 Papa used to say,

“Mama used to wear short skirts.”

And that’s how you get,

“Those skirts are too short to be underwear.”

Mama, how many years have you waited since then

to have Papa’s hands holding yours again?

But when did you wear short skirts?

Was it when I was born?

Before my brother?

After he returned?

And why haven’t you worn short skirts

that I can remember in my lifetime?