Fruit Cake For Friends

It's always a holiday in my kitchen

with the scent of fruitcakes baking

and the aroma of port wine

and rum flavoring cakes

warm from the oven.

She lived to age 91, we called her Granny,
my mother's mother.
The credit card companies always ask
what is your mothers maiden name
her name was Hilda Hinkson.
Funny how you remember things
like her fruit cake during the holidays.
Granny would always have a cake or two
from Thanksgiving through New Year.
They would only give us kids a morsel
due to it being aged with Christian Brothers Brandy
and Mount Gay Rum.
I can still taste it melting in my mouth and hear
my voice begging
Granny for one more piece.

I hear my Grandparents whispering

to me everytime I bake a cake and feel

the love when my daughter licks the spoon.