Olga Poem by r james sterzinger

she told us she was ready to go. still
we didn't want that to happen. her mind
was fading in and out. seeing people
she had known in the past.

while her room filled with well wishers trying
to keep her in this life, I muttered a prayer
to the ceiling, hoping for safe passage
for the trip.

its not fair for death to take
loved ones from us
its not fair for us to keep them
here when they are packed, ready to go

this weekend we buried Olga, she
lay so still. her brocaded wedding dress
displayed next to her casket.

people commented on the beauty
of the dress, the lace, the hand stitching
how wonderful she had looked in it.

my thinking turned to how she left
unafraid ready to go like a saint of old
like the last line of a well written myth.