Five.....Co-Workers....Standing.....In Concert Poem by James B. Earley

Author's note:
Fond memories I hold
...For the sum of them;
Margrit, Julie, Carissa,
...Laureen...and Kim

Margrit Mondavi
Julie Prince
Carissa Mondavi
Laureen Betts
Kim Malley

Five co-workers....acting in concert
....Selflessly...thinking....of me
Sharing...a moment's compassion
....Surmising....my misery

It's been many long years thinking
...Moments...occasionally...morose
Yet buoyed by the perception...of others....
Having realized....we were really....that close

....The news...the group...had brought me
Shook the essence...indeed of my soul
....To this day....haven't fully...rebounded
From the pain...of what....I was told

Agony within the message
....Admittedly.....burned extreme
I remember....stumbling...closing my eyes...
Simply....just wanting.....to scream

......Instantly recovering
Immediately thinking it through.......
I saw folks...knowing more...about me
......For more.....than even...I knew

They were sharing....a bit of compassion
....Having surmised my misery
Five....co-workers....standing in concert
.....Selflessly....thinking...of me


Author's note:
The assignment; Pickup Margrit Mondavi at Robert Mondavi Winery, and drive to late afternoon appointment:

Arriving onsite some minutes ahead of scheduled departure, I reclined in the limo, seizing the opportunity to unwind a bit from the rigors of an earlier excursion into San Francisco. Alerted by distant voices, I looked up to see Mrs. Mondavi approaching accompanied by an entourage of four co-workers. Exiting the vehicle, I acknowleged their presence, and exchanged a bit of light banter with a member of the group. Immediately thereafter Margrit addressed me saying, "Jim, I have some bad news. Mary (Mary Azevedo, Robert Mondavi's Adminstrative Assistant)passed away this morning." (2 June 2005)