My Friend Sarah by Ryan Quinn Flanagan

My friend Sarah
is the eternal optimist.
Working long hours
at a maximum security prison
in Penetang
helping convicted sex offenders
reorient back into society.
I see the negative
where she always sees
the positive
and I feel myself lacking
in some way.
Like an earthworm
of living
somehow diminished
in her light.
We drink together
stay up late
and talk.
About our engineer ancestors,
fighting in hockey,
the state of the North American
Indian.
She has a beautiful soul,
my friend Sarah.
A beautiful mind too.
Providing hope
when I am no longer
able.

Ryan Quinn Flanagan is a happily unmarried proud father of none. His work can be found both in print and online in such joints as Your One Phone Call, Homestead Review, Horror Sleaze Trash, and Dead Snakes. He has an affinity for dragonflies, discount tequila, and all things sarcastic.