OLD FAMILY RECIPE ~ Gabby Gilliam

I let ancestors whisper
to me through faded pen 
marks on yellowed pages 

sifted flour––cut in butter with fork
folded crisp green apples 
into homemade caramel 

trapped them beneath lattice 
and baked until golden 
filled the house with warm 

cinnamon that smelled like home 
for multiple generations 
let my grandmother cut 

the first slice––smooth rise 
of steam as hot pie took fresh breath 
let her enjoy the first bite 

flavor blooming on tongue 
before she let me know 
she would have preferred peach.