End-of-life poetry

 Foreword: I wrote this as my wife was steeling herself for a visit to her sister in Oregon. First, Josie was to fly to Portland and take a bus to Corvallis. Then she was to rent a car and drive to Kim’s remote property on a dirt road. And finally, she would be confronted with a sloped driveway that was sometimes impassable in bad weather. It was January, I think. Being a San Diegan, Josie had few winter clothes. Beyond all that, Josie’s own health was not good, and she dreaded seeing her favorite sister in pain.

Oregon

Winter woes in summer clothes

Peaches out of season

Places cold and bones so old

Looking for a reason

Fighting wind and dodging rain

For love and history

Knowing hurt and holding pain

Learning of her story

Reaching in for courage great

Discovering the reason

Living life and giving love

Always is in season