written most quickly. edited least. liked by the professor more than the others. the last stanza still runs thru my head from time to time, unbidden.

"granny"

the simple quilt remains half-done,
and her hands are empty for hours now
as she sits and talks to anyone
the nurses will allow.

at christmas-time her daughter comes
to take her home to see her kin.
fearful grandchildren are dumb;
granny's home again.

she plucks with stiff and fragile hands
the shredded tissue in her lap,
hears voices she can't understand,
and drifts into a nap.

sits at the table staring and straight,
a napkin-bib tucked in her holiday dress.
with a trembling hand she cleans her plate;
what she eats, she can only guess.

sons now older than retirement
ease their mother to the door
as she fumbles for the proper comment,
"come to see me more...."

19 dec 1984