These Quiet Ajummas
conversation
was best waged
over
bromine bubbles
and water jets
that struck the loose skin
of those loud ajummas
those forward leaning ajummas
draped hot chiton
on distant children
shouting academic strengths
as if
they understood
the inner guts of a school system
they had never grown up
in
reciting hyperbolic heroics
for the esteemed canon
of a recreation centre’s
hot tub
but these quiet ajummas
who sat back
against the walls
toes tracing shy circles
in the sediment deep below
would hear delivered stories
of their own kin
and wonder
how shallow
their knowledge
was of their own children
before retreating
water dripping
from loosened joints
to wash away
the chemicals of a hot tub
conversation in the nearby shower
Abbotsford Recreation Centre
2499 McMillan Rd, Abbotsford, BC V2S 7S5