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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>To A FAR AWAY FRIEND<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The memory of six miscarrages<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Tucked silently into your heart,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Your childless midwife’s hands<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Birthed and cradled other women’s infants.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sure-footed from years traversing<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The rugged Welsh mountains <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>of your much-loved native country, <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>you did not stumble when cancers<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>cracked open the ground underfoot..<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Believing you could outwit fate,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I pictured you invincible until<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I heard you speak the word “dementia.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>How long will you know I am a friend <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>And recognize my dogs’ photos tucked in your bedroom mirror?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Will you recall the many cups of<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Jasmine tea and books we shared<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Orhow you laughed at my mangled Welsh words?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Know that, as long as I can,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I will carry these memories for both of us<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>And tenderly hold Your vanishing self in my heart.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sally Rosenthal <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>