The ambulance squatted
like a carnival ride,
its lights promising a salvation
which arrived too late.
Mom called for help
as soon as Mamie
had called,
then we hurried to her.
Inside, the phone still lay
unhooked on the floor
where the EMT’s found her,
dead.
Uneaten on the kitchen table:
a half glass of milk,
one fried egg on a white plate,
a dry piece of toast.
(July 26, 2014)
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