artwork: ralph murre
The Last Party
(For Josie)
by Cristina
M. R. Norcross
It all begins
to fade
in the land of
forget-me-not years.
One moment I
am dropping a slice of lemon into my tea –
the next
moment
the back of my
bed raises
with the click
of a magic button.
Crosswords are
my saving grace.
All of the
clues –
a familiar
comfort.
I wonder who
keeps filling them in?
She should be
more considerate and use a pencil.
There is a
woman who comes and points
to pictures on
my dresser.
Sometimes I am
good at the guessing game –
sometimes not.
She is kind
though and brings me a new nightgown
with each
visit.
In times of
joyful suspension,
the room is
filled
with people I
have not seen in years.
Gertrude’s fur
wrap was always too showy,
but it looks
good on her now.
Bill is busy serving
cocktails,
while they set
up another Canasta game.
It is a party
of laughter and noise.
You should
come –
before it all
disappears.
~ First
published on Your Daily Poem
