I ordered the largest backdropfor Mum's eightieth birthdaythe fitter said your house is rather smallI said bring it over anywayred flowers printed at all four cornersMum's name in the middle
I climb the old ladderits top against the gourd trellisthe ladder Dad built long agoits legs half a handspan out of lineĐạt holds it steady belowstill taking a call with his shoulder
Lift this sidedon't pull the other one yet
I thread the cord over the crossbarit loops around a fruit's stalkĐạt gives it a tug to tighten ita gourd knocks me on the foreheadI swear softly through my teeththe fitter asks what I said
Vân passes up the scissorsI slip the blades through the gapjust as the backdrop slides lowerI close the scissorsa fruit falls into an empty basinits tender stalk still in my hand
Mum stands behind the fitterher red blouse brushing lime dustI hide the stalk in my trouser pocketthe next fruit swingsMum touches the markright in the middle of my forehead
Lift this sidedon't pull the other one yet
Mum says that gourd was still so youngI miss a rungĐạt catches my footthe backdrop tips to the right
The fitter's taken his money down the laneI undo the knot a second timehalf the greeting is covered upMum's name is pressed against the wallinside my left trouser pocketgourd sap sticks to the money