when

when the painting keeps you from fainting
paintbrush in the hand
hand me down from mama
and the intrepid man
slight of hand
onions around the lamb
makes me feel so humble
truth is that I can
right the wrongs of stumble
across the crooked land
cook for me a summer feast
sweet the orange yam
counterfeit a smile
for everything I am
to look on till tomorrow
for love is felt more than
the swelter of a lie
may helpers never die
remembered Queenie’s apple pie
a flaky a crust am I.