A poem for my uncle who died recently in a nursing home

by Ron Riekki

There is nothing
to despair
now.
You don’t have worldly
cares

now.
You
have
God.
Now,

I love you, Uncle Paul,
and wish you
well.
I wish you
awe

where
you are
now…
It’s very late.
Good night.

Ron Riekki has published poetry in Rattle, Poetry NorthwestBeloit Poetry Journal, fiction in Threepenny ReviewBellevue Literary ReviewWigleaf, nonfiction in River Teeth, New Orleans Review, and more. Right now, Riekki is listening to Richard Burton read Dylan Thomas’ “Fern Hill.”

2 thoughts on “A poem for my uncle who died recently in a nursing home

  1. Hugs. Death is so permanent, thank god we get to keep our memories. I have tons of loving memories of Paul. thank god for pictures.

    Like

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