From The Terrible Stories (1996), "rust" Summary

The poem is subtitled, "we don't like rust,/it reminds us that we are dying," by Brett Singer. It addresses ostensibly this poet and asks a series of questions. The first asks if iron "understands" that time and God are synonymous. Next is the question if a "rain-licked" pot or pan has holiness, and next asks if an abandoned pan is holy too. The next image flashes back to cooking as a young girl, if those abandoned pans have holiness. Finally, the question really seems to be not about the pans but about the fine memories of mothers cooking in pans, handles of "ebony patience" and a beautiful shine.

From The Terrible Stories (1996), "rust" Analysis

This is another poignant recollection that speaks to those whose mothers cooked for them. Little girls...