#305 Happy Day of The Dead!

I've got my meringue powder

I'm mixing it well

With the sugar and the water

I've kept some aside

To the water I'll add pink

Grandma's favorite color was pink

I'm doing this as she told me

But unlike her kitchen

Mine is now covered with ingredients

I'll chalk that up to undue expedience

She would have clucked her tongue at my haste

Mixed just right

I'm pressing the mix in tight

Pushing into the mold

Then popping it out onto the cardboard

Wow, it looks just right

Not falling apart

Nothing left in the mold

I can do this I think

And on the idea I'm sold

It takes almost a half hour more

Then all the mixture is gone

Transformed into rows

Of white and pink

Holy cow I need a drink

In the morning

Late morning to be honest

I stagger to the kitchen

Holding my pounding head

I would really have loved to stay in bed

I start my task dutifully

Grabbing two more pounds of sugar

Half a cup of meringue

Two thirds cup of water

I mix it for nine minutes

The mix peaked nicely

I packed it into Tupperware

Sealing it tightly

Now for some color

I choose blue to start

Scooping out some icing

I add it part to part

Picking up the first skull

I look at it thoughtfully

Then add features to it

Making him look quite the woolly bully

Other colors come and go

Flowers dots dashes and dabs

All applied with care

Placed on my wooden slabs

I set some aside

I carry the rest to the market

Only one day to sell these

I find a spot and park it

Three hours later

All my skulls are gone

I take the proceeds

And buy a few things

Grand mama's favorite liquor

Scented candles

An armful of marigolds

I return and remove my sandals

With the sun setting

I get ready for bed

Tomorrow is a long day

I have to wake early for the dead

Looking forward to spending time

At Grandma's grave

Trimming her grass

Washing her tombstone

I'll pour her a drink

Arrange her pretty painted skulls

Place her marigolds so carefully

And I will not be alone

For Dia De Los Muertos is here