By John McPherson
So now she cuts out paper stars,
stenciled onto construction paper.
Bent fetal-like on her hospice supplied recliner,
no longer even able to sit up in a wheel chair,
fingers feeble with age
barely able to maneuver the safety scissors.
Short time ago she crocheted butterflies to give away,
led Bible study groups, counseled other residents.
Now, failing feet wrapped in bandages,
she strives to keep fingers and mind active
in the only way left to her—
cutting out paper stars.
Facsimiles perhaps of those—
in a near future crown
John McPherson is the current president of Poets’ Roundtable of Arkansas, president of Gin Creek Poets, and past president of White County Creative Writers. He writes poems, short stories, and letters to the editor, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.