Dear Mary Anne
I want to tell you how the latest
writer’s weekend went, and get
snarky about the people
who annoy us.
I want to hear you complain
about how they misspelled your name
on your gravestone, leaving out
the ‘e’ on your Anne
which you insisted on as much
as a young redhead from Green Gables.
I want to meet you for dinner
at our favorite Mexican or Middle Eastern
restaurant, hear your stories about work,
cousins, your long ago Scottie, travel
plans, and memories of Paris and Assisi.
I just want to hear you laugh again,
make plans to hear our favorite
Irish band in Dayton, talk about what
we’re reading. Mostly, I just want you
not to be dead.
10 thoughts on "Dear Mary Anne"
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This is so relatable 💜
Oh, that ending. Like, I could tell that was the core desire and lamentation through the poem, but then to just lay it out in those last lines was an unexpected jab. Very well done.
this poem is really beautiful and evokes a lot of nostalgia. 💗💗
I enjoyed how you built this, there was subtle, feathery driving that took us to the ending -something between gentle, and savoring that urgency previous.
Agree with Phillip that the end unexpectedly blunt ending is (effectively) jarring! I am sorry for the loss of your friend!
The ending!! Mostly, I just want you/ not to be dead.
But all of it – the snark about people, Mexican dinners, travel plans – show the life, the relationship that necessitated that “mostly.”
Love it.
I love ALL the specifics, including Assisi
the build then the drop off, getting to know this person, then the big reveal. so nicely done.
I just want to hear you laugh again,
Mostly, I just want you
not to be dead.
Grief is so hard. This poem is touching.
I’m so sorry you lost your friend! Sending love!