A Southern Grandmother Alone

Don’t people just forget you! 
Did I ever forget anyone in my 
entire life? No, Sir; I did not!

And wasn’t I the good shepherd
to everyone I met, never letting 
new church folk get away 
without a call. 

I bent myself in half for you people, 
spreading gentleness with smiles 
and hellos, committees and all those 
Bible study classes. 

Wasn’t I always the good Christian!

But now when you’re old,
no one remembers you. 
It’s like I’m disappearing one day 
at a time.

Someday I’ll press this button 
and no one will come. 
I could be bleeding like a stuck hog 
and not a soul would care. 

Why doesn’t the Lord take me?
God knows I’m ready. 

Honorable Mention Mill Prize for Poetry 10/18
Published in ArtAscent 1/19
Published in Millwork 4/19