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My Mother's Last Meal
by Vera Salter
She collapsed as she ate linguini
with white clam sauce at her favorite
Italian restaurant in London.
When I arrived at the hospital late
at night she was still angry
that strangers had opened her handbag.
The next day she asked me to cancel
her hairdresser appointment.
As we talked in the evening
she said I don't want to die suddenly.
I want to have time
to prepare for death.
They brought her fried fish too greasy
to eat. I asked for crackers
at the nurses station.
The next morning she cried out
as her aorta burst
About the Author
Vera Kewes Salter is aging with her husband in New Rochelle, New York. She is previously published in Prometheus Dreaming, Nixes Mate Review, Right Hand Pointing, Persimmon Tree, Red Eft Review and other publications.
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