Sage
- for Jennifer
She was high holy
burning the sage
blessing the dark apartment
with sacred smoke
she ripped
the reluctant window open
and let a curious breeze in
the stagnant dust
of long years
dissipated in
her light.
The cat slept by
the crystals she left
the birds chirped loudly
in a mad, celebratory chorus
my cat and I
stared at each other
stunned
by her wake.
- © Doug Holder 2021
Doug Holder is the founder of the Ibbetson Street Press based in Somerville Massachusetts. He is currently caring for his terminally ill wife at their home of many years, and this poem is dedicated to his dear friend Jennifer Matthews, who has helped him with caregiving.
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