Death Is Not Her Friend Poem by Rita Cerniglia

As the effects of her anxiety

and Valium chaser wears off,

she surveys her surroundings with disapproval:

They're not enough jesters,

insomniacs, nor antidepressants.

Everyone remaining is huddled together

under the hot lights and continuously

loud television: Leaving her dissatisfied

and between worlds.

She's afraid.

She doesn't want to forget who to thank

on her way out.

And Death, clearly NOT her friend,

is retrieving his hook

midway through her acceptance speech.

(7/22/2013)