To My Friend, Chronically Ill
What can I do
restrained as I am
by tiny clutching hands
by clamoring demands
by the very abundance of my life?
And by the not knowing
what or how or when
And, yes, by the fear
that what I finally do
will be all wrong.
I would give you
greenness, laughter, escape
an enchanted April in Tuscany’s sun
Prince Edward Island in the fall
one perfect day—
some fragrant shade
a stretch of grass
a good book
and health
Instead, please accept
my ear (always here)
my gratitude
for the pleasure of meeting a mind much finer than my own
for comfortable companionship
side-by-side suckling of sturdy sons
soul to soul exchange
and this—
the insufficient offering of my pen.
Erin Brannigan was born and raised in the western United States. After her mission, she married her high school sweetheart and finished up her degree at BYU. Erin currently lives in Utah with her husband, growing family, and three cats all named “Hey You.” In her spare time, she loves to play with words, her kids, and bubble wrap.
