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ANGELA EWARD-MANGIONE


Rotting Father

1

"Father is rotting!" I
shrieked, leaping out
of bed spasmodically;
scarcely clothed - running down
empty streets at noon

Only a white cotton
nightgown lay between
dad's ashes and
me; the sun beating
down,
inside the empty graveyard.

2

No destination in mind.
Just laughing,
with red daffodils
under the bright yellow moon.

3

Looking through the window
I see people come and
go through the white room.

Many laugh and sing;
some cry and grieve
in the white room's
red chair.

4

Leaping from a stony gray ledge
into the Himalayan mountain range
I thought to ask
for salvation.