Laurie

For Laurie who died January 5 2001

Laurie

It is cold
Silent
The world outside

It is cold
Screaming
The world inside

The clock says
She is dying
As does her face


Too young the woman
Too young her daughters
Too old her friend

Two holidays pass
Will she have more?

Poverty is the cancer
Undetected
No testing

Money comes to her now
Donations
Scolarships

The gift of life?
Diminished
Nonexistent

Her feet are cold
Her hands are cold
Yet she breathes
Another day

It is cold
Silent
The world outside

It is cold
Dead
Her world inside

January 5th 2001