Poems by Linda Francis

Poems by Linda Francis

IT MADE MY DAY!

BEAUTY OF THE SOUL Every day on my way to the A train, I encountered this lady and an injured cat in front of the bodega. I asked her, why does she go into the store and buy a can of cat food for this particular cat? She told me that she was at the scene one day when this man turned his pit bull loose and that the animal bit most of the cat’s tail off and left the remainder of the tail looking raw. I was overwhelmed with emotion when she said, “I would take this cat home with me, but I’m in a shelter.” I was able to understand and sympathize with her even though I don’t even like cats on the whole.

Beauty of the soul—that was my mom. She was a very generous, caring, loving and giving person who just wanted everybody to keep on living to the best of their ability. She insisted on everyone being punctual. Being on time meant a lot to her, not bothering with what may have been on your mind. She took no sides, somewhat like the rising tides. She refused to lie to you, even if what she had to say might make you want to cry. She also believed that everyone should try to get along in harmony and try to glide through life like a rhyming song. Her motto was, try, try, try—before we have to say our last good-byes.

SHE LIVED

After she died this is what happened: my legs gave out at the cemetery they felt like jelly I was out of control my heart felt like it was going to give out. I stared out my 8th floor window for hours on end. I lost twenty pounds in a short period of time. I almost fell in that hole but I was to fill in the dashes from 1918 to 2005. I walked away all in one piece.

AGAIN AND AGAIN WITHOUT NOTICING IT

I remember making $65 a week in 1965. At that time, after I paid my rent, bought some food and clothing, I still had some money left over until I got paid again. Thru the years I have welcomed the raises in my paycheck and Social Security benefits. But then again, I didn’t look forward to the inevitable— that my rent would also go up, but after a while I didn’t notice it anymore. Over the years I have grown so used to change that after awhile I don’t even notice it anymore. But such is life: a little grey here, a little grey there, a little wrinkle here, a little brown line there— who even notices after a while? I am so grateful to be able to reach up that high to touch that spot all by myself.

MY FREEDOM

I could live almost anywhere! I can go to any hospital or doctor that I want to. I can to any school that my grades or GPA allow. I can marry anybody I choose, regardless of their race or gender. I can practice whatever religion I choose. Thank God for the U.S.A.!

NIGHT TIME AT THE PONDEROSA

This is the time when I let all my thoughts rest. I treat this time as a test and I try to accomplish this at my honest-to-God’s best. I let my body relax, usually by picking up something to read. It could be a magazine, newspaper, or book. Now I am ready for the next step of just closing my eyes to totally unwind. I turn off the “restart” button and switch it over to “pause.” Now I am at peace and blessed quietness, ready to take on whatever challenges I might have to face tomorrow.