POST CARD TO AUNT PHYLLIS
AFTER OUR VISIT ON KAREN'S BIRTHDAY
You're Karen's birthday present
I say when you ask why we're here.
You're just back from lunch
with Gerri and Eric.
Karen's 75 today, but you
won't turn 102 until the day
before Valentine's. A surprise
party for the young. Too many
pictures you say as we stand
in front of posters.
I thought growing old
would take longer.
Allison made this wall to last.
We talk about Books on tape,
look at Danielle Steele's titles
and Jackie Kennedy--Clint Hill
took care of her 29 years you say.
You remind us to talk good
about the dead and call me
an educated fool. Karen
takes a picture of me
sitting at your feet.
Love, Jim
POST CARD TO WARREN MURPHY
ON KAREN'S BIRTHDAY JUST AFTER CHRISTMAS
There's nothing I like better than mail,
Warren. My eyes go right to that stack
of letters on your light table. Photos.
Joe and Karen making lefse. Maybe
it's pizza. Pan de Vida. How cool
to see Karen and I on Christmas card
beside you and Betty framed beside us.
It's January 2d by the block calendar.
Karen's 75 on this day. You two
talk family ancestry, children
arriving Christmas morning
in pajamas. Karen says she doesn't
miss work, but dreams about it.
That's the way that goes,
you say smiling. This post card
from Yakima says we love you.
Jim
10 January 2020
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