Big Aunt Grace,
\n(that\u2019s what we called her)
\nwas huge, gorilla-huge,
\nand with her sticky sweet perfume
\nfilling the room, she would kiss everyone
\nwith the squeeze of an African python,
\ncoiled tightly around the body
\ntill all breath was gone,
\nand we\u2019d squirm with fear
\nto be released.<\/p>\n
Grandpa Scott, a doctor and pharmacist,
\nwas always ready to kiss us goodbye,
\nalways reaching to smother us
\nin his bushy full beard
\nand prickly mustache that reeked
\nof alcohol, formaldehyde and ether.<\/p>\n
Surely we still feel that vice-grip the squeezing and shaking of tender flesh And what about those handsome Aussies Now that we\u2019re ninety, \u2014as told by Sugar Hill residents Diane Hopewell, Harvey Stephenson and Harry Widman<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Big Aunt Grace, (that\u2019s what we called her) was huge, gorilla-huge, and with her sticky sweet perfume filling the room, she would kiss everyone with the squeeze of an African python, coiled tightly around the body till all breath was gone, and we\u2019d squirm with fear to be released. Grandpa Scott, a doctor and pharmacist, … <\/p>\n
\non the cheek that left a welt,
\nthe aren\u2019t-you-just-the-cutest-little-thing<\/em>
\npinch-kiss that Uncle Harold planted on us
\neach time he saw us\u2014<\/p>\n
\nbetween forefinger and thumb
\nthat sent us racing for the closet
\nbefore he entered the room.<\/p>\n
\nin their Navy blue uniforms, who visited us
\nduring the war? Pipsqueak, a pet name
\nfor sis when she was four-years-old, adored
\nthose tall soldiers, and when
\nthey placed a peck on her forehead,
\nshe went running to the kitchen with a shout,
\nMother, I just kissed someone<\/em>.<\/p>\n
\nwe thought we\u2019d better warn you, kid.
\nPucker up now-\u2014
\nkisses always lurk in memories.<\/p>\n