Joanna Gilman Hyde

The Hawk West Desk Window 7:22pm

I was just about to phone My Father

when I remembered He’s dead

to tell Him I signed off today

on My Mother’s Island House —

both My Parents are dead —

My Father by eleven months

My Mother by twenty years

I am NOT alone

Oh, and My Brother was killed

in the interim

BUT I AM NOT ALONE

I have My House By The Sea

furnished with new flooring picked out

a devoted and hard-working Husband

(I may not be able to make Him retire)

My Daughter with Her College picked out

and Her Boyfriend I would marry

(which is what My Mother did to Me)

I am NOT alone

I have E.S.P.