right hand pointing

Clara Briefly,

we friends called her,

for she was long-

winded—every story

a trinity. No matter what

she discussed,

the history of the coaxial cable,

three things that happened in March,

she’d be alive

with Carlinesque rhythm and wit.

On Monday morning, sitting by her

bed at St. Joseph’s hospital,

cancer tickling her throat,

we held hands for three hours,

silent. When I squeezed

her goodbye, she grinned and offered,

keep my eulogy brief.

Winner of the April 2015 RHP TITLE CHALLENGE