Kiitos, Sylvi

kiitos, the one word in Finnish I learned there
                                                             "thank you"

Aunt Sylvi taught me context in 1970, Sysmå

my grandmother's & Aunt Hilma's sister

we did not speak each other's languages

                             whenever I looked bored,

                                                                             kahvi?

                                  coffee always came with sweets

extending the familiar, (American)

              she showed me "Joy" liquid

she went to the well

cranked up the heavy bucket

poured water in a big pot
                on her wood stove

when the steam started rising
she applied Joy

                   then her dishes

it took the grease right off

        clean
                        (like after a sauna)

of course, Veikko, her son

             who lived next door
                           had all the modern amenities

she preferred to live as she always had

I'm learning that now

as I fail to upgrade this damned
             & wondrous computer

—Bill Vartnaw © 2011