Wednesday

I can hear you, understand you, tonight.
Your voice is so strong.
She always had a strong voice, now
Slowly diminishing–Be gone, ugly
Disease.
She mothered four, then five more steps.
Grandmother, Great-Grandmother:
She followed athletes at many venues,
Cheered them on, win or lose.
The marching band, the swing choir,
Church choir; accompanying them, on
Foot or at the keyboard. Hands and feet
Now barely moving.
She learn to tap dance at 65, kept true
For 10 years before she stumbled. Be gone,
Ugly disease, you rob me of a friend.
I’ll take pie, Lemon for her, Chocolate for
The love of her life, Wilhelm, the Magnificent,
she called him. One day melts into the
Next, he says and asks, “What day is it?
It’s Wednesday, I brought pie.

Barbara Carlson