i ask my mom,

was grandma jane crazy about us 

when we were babies?

-not really she replies

and adds i feel like her

she worries rose cries

whenever she looks at her

but really she's a baby

and babies cry whenever they want

was great-grandma veronica crazy 

for you when you were a baby?

my sister asks my mom

no she replies

and so it's casual

when i find out we seem to come from 

at least a medium long line

of cold potatoes 

as dave calls them

from what specific discomfort

does this arm's length arise?

what's the wedge that serves to cleave

us apart 

so thoroughly

what chill in the air

causes one to wrap their shawl 

tighter around oneself

displaying to the next generation

how they ought to comport