i breathe in

hold my breath for 3 seconds

which seem like years.

i step on the scale.

i haven’t weighed 159 since year 2000

life was so much easier then.

my nonna was alive.

cooking pastina on cold days after

i would take her to mass.

a glass of wine would cause us to laugh

at just about anything.

life was easier at that 159 pounds.

my mother was alive.

her monthly trips to my new city

with cooked pasta al forno

tarrale with fennel seeds

was the only reason i believe

that i graduated with a Master’s Degree.

i step off the scale

wearing clothes just a bit too big

starting the day without them.