Spend an Afternoon with Annie
Annie’s always calm and cheerful,
Speaks no ill of friend or foe,
Always prudent and productive,
Meets temptation with a no.
Never gossips, never grumbles,
Eats fresh fruit instead of cake.
Spend an afternoon with Annie–
See how long you stay awake.
Lenore in the Sunlight
I wake at dawn and face the sun,
Whose rays caress my head.
I glory in the morning light,
Though I can’t leave my bed.
My will is strong, my body weak.
Please help me stay alive.
It’s much too soon for me to die;
I’m only ninety-five.
“Spend an Afternoon with Annie” and “Lenore in the Sunlight” first appeared in The Providence Journal.
Felicia Nimue Ackerman is a professor of philosophy at Brown University and has had over 230 poems published in a wide range of places, including several in past issues of Sparks of Calliope.
Sparks of Calliope 
Two lovely poems. The second one reminds me of my husband’s grandmother who clung to life and finally died in hospital on morphine. Quite sad to fear death so much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think fearing death makes perfect sense. A bedridden 95-year-old may have excellent reason to cling to life. She may be enjoying her family and her daydreams as well as reading and listening to music. Please help her stay alive!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I think fearing death makes perfect sense. A bedridden 95-year-old may have excellent reason to cling to life. She may be enjoying her family and her daydreams as well as reading and listening to music. Please help her stay alive!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What wonderful poetry!! Do you have a book?
LikeLiked by 1 person
No, but thanks for asking!! Maybe eventually. . .
LikeLiked by 1 person