GOODBYE MARILYN
FIRST BORN CHILD.AND THE PICK OF THE LITTER
ONE TENACIOUS GAL, NEVER A QUITTER. THAT WAS MARILYN
SHE TOOK CARE OF BROTHER, AND LITTLE SISTERS TOO,
WHEN MOM WAS GONE, SHE KNEW WHAT TO DO. THAT WAS MARILYN
SHE COULD TEACH A CLASS OF MANY GRADES,
AND CHALLENGE THEM WITH TESTS SHE MADE. THAT WAS MARILYN
SHE COULD QUOTE THE BIBLE, CHAPTER AND VERSE
AND PRAY FOR OTHERS WHO HAD IT WORSE. THAT WAS MARILYN
HER GARDEN FLOWERS, WOULD TAKE FIRST PRIZE,
THE IRIS, THE TULIP, THE ROSE, A SIGHT FOR SORE EYES. THAT WAS MARILYN
THE VEGGIES SHE GREW, ADDED TO OUR LARDER,
SHE DIDN’T MIND THAT IT WAS A LITTLE HARDER. THAT WAS MARILYN
SHE CANNED UP A STORM, VEGETABLES, FRUITS AND MEATS.
EVERY JAR FILLED WITH RELISHES, PICKLES, AND BEETS. THAT WAS MARILYN
SHE WOULD BAKE UP A CAKE OR BISCUITS FROM SCRATCH,
SHE DIDN’T NEED A RECIPE, FOR PIES WITHOUT MATCH. THAT WAS MARILYN
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GOODBY MARILYN
SHE COULD PUT IN A ZIPPER, IN AN OLD PAIR OF JEANS
OR PATCH THE CROTCH AND THOSE DIFFICULT SEAMS. THAT WAS MARILYN
HER CAMERA WAS CLICKING! FAMILY AND FRIENDS,
HUNDREDS POSED WITH HUMOR AND GRINS, THAT WAS MARILYN
BABY SITTING CHILDREN THAT WEREN’T EVEN HERS,
SHE WAS THEIR TEACHER, MOMIE, AND NURSE. THAT WAS MARILYN
THE FOSTER KIDS LOVED HER DEARLY. SHE WAS THEIR MOM OR VERY NEARLY. THAT WAS MARILYN
A SHOPPING SHE WOULD GO, AND IT’S REALLY QUITE FUNNY
BECAUSE WHEN SHE LEFT, THE STORE OWED HER MONEY. THAT WAS MARILYN
SHE STOOD BY HER VOWS FOR BETTER OR WORSE PUT UP WITH HER MAN A LITTLE TIGHT ON THE PURSE? THAT WAS MARILYN
MOTHER THERESA OF INDIA, I’M TOLD,
COULDN’T HOLD A CANDLE TO HER HEART OF GOLD. THAT WAS MARILYN
SHE’S IN HEAVEN NOW, IN A BETTER PLACE,
WE KNOW SHE’S THERE MEETING JESUS FACE TO FACE. GOOD BYE MARILYN
WAYNE SHERMAN