July 7, 2022

Two weeks 
to the day
after my mother 
slipped away,
I was sitting 
at twilight, 
taking in
my husband’s
glorious garden:

the lavender 
catmint,
red-hot pokers,
tangerine, peach,
and saffron lilies,
daisies, 
and
 pink roses 
from 
a cutting
of his 
grandma's,
long-gone.

All of a sudden
a flash
of scarlet,
a cardinal,
of course, 
lit on the wall, 
for just a 
moment. 



And farewell 
is harder than
I had 
ever
imagined. 

4 thoughts on “July 7, 2022

  1. Jennie Lee Castrogiovanni's avatar Jennie Lee Castrogiovanni

    Hi Gail, I am sorry for your loss as well. I had wanted to write to you when things got a little crazy. I am just now feeling like I can breathe again. Your mom was a great one too. We were fortunate. Peace to you, my friend.

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  2. Unknown's avatar Anonymous

    Jennie, So sorry about your mother. She was a wonderful lady and can see her smile and hear her laugh. I also lost my mom recently (May 16th) and think I know somewhat of how you are feeling. I will be thinking of you. Take care!
    Gail (Hawk) Thalacker

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