Poem request

Yesterday I received two requests from The Compassionate Friends members asking me where they could read my poem, "Aftermath." I'm not quite sure how they heard about the poem since it was published in The Compassionate Friends newletter, "We Need Not Walk Alone," Summer issue way back in 2001.


So, I'm posting it here in case anyone else is interested. It will also appear in my memoir, Leaving the Hall Light On, to be released on May 9, 2011 by Lucky Press LLC.


Aftermath

They came in droves at first

out of concern, out of curiosity.

They sent flowers, cards

and sweet notes saying

call anytime

anytime at all.

Now it is quiet.

A few friends

invite us out,

or come by.

The rest have moved on

glad to have done their duty.

Don’t they know I’m not contagious?

My son’s death will not rub off.

I’m the same person I was before.

A sadder person, perhaps

but needing my friends

just the same.