It has been several years
but we remember
and look to the second-floor balcony
where once he sat in a lawn chair
and waved as we walked
toward the side door of the building;
how he saved you a seat
at the dining table,
back when they had staff
to serve dinner to interested residents;
how he shared with you the weeks and months
he once sat by his wife, holding the hand
of a woman who no longer recognized him,
and that he loved her still;
how he, too, had a daughter
who cared for him, much like I care for you;
how he kept falling until one day
his daughter thought it safer
if he moved across the street,
and he, reluctant to leave his friends
but not wanting to be a burden,
agreed; how the street made it feel
as if he was a continent away
so that we visited only twice
before the lockdown;
how one day we received a note
from his daughter that our friend, Jim,
had died from COVID;
how we wrote her a note
telling her how proud he was
she was his daughter;
how I wish we’d crossed that street
a few more times;
how you reminded me
we did the best we could.
In Gratitude
to the scientists
who created vaccines, boosters and drugs like Paxlovid
to keep those I love, like my mother,
from dying of a virus no longer making headlines
but very present in our lives.
0 Comments