December Funeral
Prayer of Lazarus
It is
the moment after sleep.
Dim light.
The smells of damp stone
and earth.
Blessed coolness.
I had been so hot.
Every bone hurting.
So thirsty,
Mary crying.
No Mary now.
No one at all.
Hard bed,
blankets all tangled.
Can’t move arms,
can’t move legs.
Scared.
Light coming through
the entrance to my chamber.
He’s calling me.
My heart jerks.
I jump up,
binding cloths fall away.
I stagger toward His Voice and
the light that blinds.
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About the Author
I grew up in Yakima, Washington and attended St. Joseph Grade School and St. Joseph Academy, going on to Gonzaga University as a National Merit Scholar. In my 40's, I went to Washington State University and earned a master's degree in English. I am a wife, mother, grandmother of five and have worked as a teacher and geriatric care manager. I take care of my 89 year old mother, who lives independently in an apartment near our home.
