My cell phone rang and it did not portend

As I hit the click to hear the voice on the other end

Speaking of trivial details of everyday life

And then…in the middle of it all…came the strife.

“Yeah, also Linda died today and I didn’t think she would have long…

She was here only two days and now she is gone.

And the other  woman…” as I did pale

On and on the words did trail…

For I was stuck on the name, “Linda,” for unknown to the other voice,

Linda has become my confidant of choice.

She had been my telephone  friend for the last year,

The one I could call, no matter the time, to give me cheer.

Resurrected friend from childhood she was, a wonderful friend of all the ladies,

Despite her battle with lupus, diabetes, arthritis and host of all maladies,

An arched back and who walked with two canes,

She found it within herself to come to the Mass for Jimmy, despite her pain.

She came out of respect and sympathy for her friend, Barbara, Jimmy’s Mom and my sister,

Who was lying in the hospital bed dying in an ironic, respiratory twister.

As though her heartfelt presence was not enough of genuine care

She had prepared several dishes of food for the affair

Linda, who punctuated my late empty nights with words of encouragement,

Helping me to laugh amid my tears, ridding me of despairing fragments.

Linda, who had regressed from canes to a wheelchair and had suffered an accident in her home.

Within two weeks of the accident, her frail body gave way, she was only on loan.

She died…but now before she gave her all…

Life, hope, laughter was her call.

And now her beautiful, kind spirit is gone from this world

Beckoning us forward to kind deeds to unfurl.