Dear Joan
I loved Elaine
and so much admired her
independence and
her sense of humor.
She could eat Chinese Food
seven days a week.
She was a wonderful
friend for my mother
who wasn't all that easy
is anyone's mother easy
and she stood next to me
when my mother
was dying and insisted
we eat Chinese food
whenever possible. She
was right. I was so
glad to have her standing
next to me and now that
Elaine is dead we should all
go have a Chinese meal
the kind she loved
all you can eat shrimp
in one of those inconceivable
buffets why are they all red
and we can tell Elaine stories
and remember what she told us
which was to eat
Chinese food whenever possible
and remember to laugh.