How to Stay Occupied as Your Friend is Dying

in memory of Russell Libby, 1956—2012,
former Executive Director of MOFGA

By Cynthia Brackett-Vincent

Paint your nails in the Jeep as your husband drives south.
But then you hear rain on the roof
and remember his poem—rivers flowing, water meeting.

Shop at Toys R Us for your granddaughter’s birthday.
But then you think of generations and how
like Russell, your tree-loving father left earth in December.

Stop for a snack since both of you are hungry.
Recall with a smile, Russell’s own—
how pleased he was to share a poem, a potluck meal.

In addition to The Penmen Review, “How to Stay Occupied as Your Friend is Dying” was published in And Still We Return to Love: Remembering Russell Libby.

Category: Poetry, SNHU Creative Writing, SNHU online creative writing, SNHU Student