Ma-in-law

Ma-in- law 

Along with a dying femme, pale and puny, 

She treads forth early in the afternoon.

Covers herself in a solemn veil. the way to go 

Is the harbour of wolves and the typhoon.

She gathers around little parched offshoots, 

With her shivering hands on her knees

To warm her balcony, while the spring pulls 

She takes labour from her twin young bulls.

And among the locals she makes 

her day 

With her folk poems, in return to  her cakes 

And ale, she receives their aid and honour.

Her son's wife Kate stands the next door

With her two, In the bowers of rivershore, 

Chewing the sweet gums and doing 

The puzzles all day along with her new.

-----Affaq Naibe