She draws her S with a heavy hook

She draws her S with a heavy hook

to hold the English in its place.

It’s the same way she used to look

at the lines across her father's face.

I tipped the trunk to help the man

next door move out his heavy gear.

A label stuck to the bottom ran

in words I haven't used in years.

The wool and mothballs hit my chest,

a suffocating, dusty weight.

We came here looking for the best

but brought a lot of heavy freight.