Reading the Obituaries

Now the Barbaras have begun to die,

trailing their older sisters to the grave,

the Helens, Margies, Nans – who said goodbye

just days ago, it seems, taking their leave

a step or two behind the hooded girls

who bloomed and withered with the century –

the Dorotheas, Eleanors and Pearls

now swaying on the edge of memory.

Soon, soon, the scythe will sweep for Jeanne

and Angela, Patricia and Diane –

pause, and return for Karen and Christine

while Susan spends a sleepless night again.

    Ah, Debra, how can you be growing old?

    Jennifer, Michelle, your hands are cold.

“Reading the Obituaries” was originally published in The Formalist.