POETRY : FIRST PLACE
Breathe
Gail Whiteford lobbied governments , demanded changes , and eventually , with the Charter , I could be guaranteed that I wouldn ’ t be fired from my teaching job or be evicted for just being Marvin .”
Marvin again tried to catch Libby ’ s eye . “ I hope you ’ ve had a happy life , Libby . Despite some very dark days when I almost ended it , mine has been happy — authentic . I even reconciled with my mother before she died , that ’ s why I ’ m back in the city .
“ I ’ ll leave you now , Libby . I ’ m sorry . I didn ’ t mean to cause you more pain .”
Libby watched Marvin walk away , her anger rising . She couldn ’ t let this go . “ The prom …” Didn ’ t people realize how important that was to a teenager ?! She hurried outside . “ Marvin !” Libby called . He turned , “ Yes ?” “ I have to say this to you ,” Libby paused ,
“ Thank you .” “ Thank you ? But I lied . That was wrong .” “ I ’ ll tell you what ’ s wrong . Wrong is a child being kicked out of his home by people who are supposed to love him . Wrong is a 17-year-old quitting school because he feels unsafe . Thanks to your hard-fought efforts , my beautiful grandson will be able to go to his prom with his boyfriend . He may encounter a few road bumps , but he can live life his way .
“ Marvin , do you feel like taking another walk with your old friend , Legs ? I do have a new hip !”
Libby reached her hand to Marvin , and he clasped her fingers .
Breathe in Breathe out
Breathe in Silence
Just for the moment I am neither Daughter , nor son Wife , nor husband Mother , nor father Nor worker . Just for the moment , Lying here beneath this cloudless , blue sky I am only Me . Tomorrow I will Care for , Nurture , Listen to , Feed , And be there for For them . Just for this moment , I am taking a moment For me .
Breathe out .
news & views SPRING 2022 | 33