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<p class="aolmailmsonormal"><u>No matter how much praise I would lay at the feet
of this piece</u>,<u> it would not be enough. “,” I am sorry that you have the
material from which to write it. Nevertheless, keep writing. It helps. </u></p>

<p class="aolmailmsonormal"> </p>

<p class="aolmailmsonormal"> </p>

<p class="aolmailmsonormal">“Aliens have abducted my husband,”</p>

<p class="aolmailmsonormal">I tell myself as I throw another load</p>

<p class="aolmailmsonormal">Of soiled laundry into the washer</p>

<p class="aolmailmsonormal">And a voice snaps, “I will never</p>

<p class="aolmailmsonormal">Go into a nursing home!” </p>

<p class="aolmailmsonormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:
Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">       
</span></span></span><u>Is this voice that of the writers, her memory
of her husband’s voice or both?</u></p>

<p class="aolmailmsonormal"> </p>

<p class="aolmailmsonormal">In his place, they have left a shell</p>

<p class="aolmailmsonormal">Of the man I married almost thirty years ago. </p>

<p class="aolmailmsonormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:
Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">       
</span></span></span><u>I know that the word ‘almost’ is probably
meant to admit you are not absolutely sure of the accuracy of your numbering,
or because it would take too many words to be more accurate. However, I think
leaving ‘almost’ out, would make for a better line. No one will arrest you for
not putting in a decimal point.</u></p>

<p class="aolmailmsonormal">His polio-ravaged self betrays him with each
wheelchair transfer.</p>

<p class="aolmailmsonormal">Memory and bodily functions randomly fail.</p>

<p class="aolmailmsonormal">The sharp intelligence that prepared briefs and
argued in court</p>

<p class="aolmailmsonormal">Can no longer follow novels’ plots or keep track of
routines.</p>

<p class="aolmailmsonormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:
Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">       
</span></span></span><u>Terrific, powerful gut ranching verse.</u></p>

<p class="aolmailmsonormal"> </p>

<p class="aolmailmsonormal">Most friends, fearful of their futures or</p>

<p class="aolmailmsonormal">At a loss, no longer call.</p>

<p class="aolmailmsonormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:
Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">       
</span></span></span><u>These last 2 lines sum it all up. They are
teaching tools all by themselves.</u></p>

<p class="aolmailmsonormal">Distant relatives remain so.</p>

<p class="aolmailmsonormal"> </p>

<p class="aolmailmsonormal">With a heavy sigh, my guide dog lies by my side.</p>

<p class="aolmailmsonormal">My therapist listens as I describe</p>

<p class="aolmailmsonormal">My place In this downward spiral.</p>

<p class="aolmailmsonormal"> </p>

<p class="aolmailmsonormal"> </p>

<p class="aolmailmsonormal">Aliens have abducted my husband;</p>

<p class="aolmailmsonormal">I wish they would return for me.</p>

<p class="aolmailmsonormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:
Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">       
</span></span></span><u>I think you left out ‘him’ in the above line.</u></p>

<p class="aolmailmsonormal"> </p>

<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>

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