still      missing

the ivory-
handled knife
yellowed
scorched in one spot
 
once buried
in my mother’s
utensil drawer
 
after searching
cabinets and dark spaces
under potholders
in the silver chest
 
still      missing
 
use another
my father said
 
and I use the knife
he hands me
to cut my favorite cake
the one she always made
for me
the confetti
angel food
glazed
in pink
 
that does not
taste the same

Š by Gail Goepfert.
Used with the author’s permission.