Sister

Looking forward to Janie's visit!

My sister

She is coming

From her tiny house

In New Mexico.

Me

I am here

Waiting

With my walker

And tongs

And more pills

Than I have ever taken.

The ankle braces

Remind me of Forrest Gump

Run, Catharine, Run.

My sister

She is coming

From her tiny house

In New Mexico.

I am waiting.

Tongs

When independence wanes

I carry my tongs

Everywhere.

They pick up clothes and books

Newspapers.

They throw my UTOs

One at a time.

They allow

The possibility

Of one more bit

Of independence

When independence

Wanes.