Death is Not the Tragedy by Jennifer Lagier

Angela is overwhelmed
by impossible tasks:
using the microwave,
mixing a pie crust,
brewing fresh coffee.

When her telephone rings,
she opens the front door,
answers the TV remote,
calls into empty air,
weeps in frustration.

Can no longer tell time,
drive her car,
work in the garden,
remember names
or appointments.

Gets lost in the house
where she’s lived
for sixty-five years.
Confuses day and night.
Doesn’t recognize family members.

Knows she is failing,
body wasted, mind muddled.
Loses ground daily.

Jennifer Lagier has published ten books and in literary magazines. She taught with California Poets in the Schools, co-edits the Homestead Review, helps coordinate monthly Monterey Bay Poetry Consortium Second Sunday readings. Forthcoming books: Harbingers (Blue Light Press), Scene of the Crime (Evening Street Press), Camille Abroad (FutureCycle). Website: http://jlagier.net