When people ask
About my friend,
I look straight ahead and
Say, “oh, I haven’t seen or
Heard from her in a while,
So I don’t remember her.”

Then I sit and think.
She was a strong, lovely
Woman with a heart-warming
Smile, and a mind that
Had much to say.

Speaking the truth with
Her soft peaceful voice
That I waited long to hear,
Putting forth every consonant
And vowel making her
Point very clear,

Body fixed forward and
Back straight, hands moved
As she spoke, wanting to tell
A message with every
Story she told.

Sending the message to
Everyone willing to hear:
With perseverance and
Determination, you can
Make it through it all.

I was the one there
To listen, to hear
All the stories you
Had to tell. From
The very beginning
Till the end, forever.

Mrs. Reta, I
Guess I do remember
You. I would be the one
To know who you truly were.
I love you, and you will be
Forever in my heart.