Family History

Family History
(on the eve of Mary's death)

Pt 1 1949

Mary, the flirt
meets Bob, the sailor
on the train platform

she wonders why
he isn't socializing
as her friends bid the seamen farewell

she barges over to him
demands his attention
why is he so stoic?

An officer.
They laugh
Exchange information

A family is born.


Pt 2 1964

Mary is rushed to the hospital
her fourth child comes early
dashed out of the room
moments after birth
Mary fears her child lost
but the child is strong
she lives


Pt 3 1984

Mary and Bob
have their four grandchildren
over for Christmas

There's an open house
after church on Christmas Eve
for which the toddlers are poorly suited

but no one minds
as the tow headed tots
spin circles 'neath the tree
of gold and 60s baubles


Pt 4 1989

Bob and Mary purchase a cabin
on a lake
in the woods

the Lord has blessed their hard work
and devotion

Family comes
Loons call
Fish jump
Children laugh

Pt 5 2011

Old age is upon them
Retirement, social security

Bob plays the same card game
every morning with Mary
she has no memory
of ever having played before

At their cabin
At their 1951 post-war Ranch
it makes no difference
the sun rises
the sun sets

Mary wanders.

Pt 6 2013

Bob weeps
holding Mary's hand
bedside at the hospital
he's signed the DNR

Neighbors come
family comes
Mary, in her fading, foggy reality
sings hymns
"Jesus loves me this I know..."
Bob weeps