Evening’s Watch

(For “Bo” 1962-1996)

Rain drizzling

I sit

in the failing light

staring up

at the graying ceiling

waiting for you to die,

or is it,

to live?

You are on the edge.

For you’ll be the one

to step out of time and space

into eternity;

and you’ll be the one

embraced by God,

his child:

Running

unshackled from pain,

free from AIDS

Running

through the lush green meadows of

the Kingdom of Joy.

And I wonder,

as I sit here, already missing you, if

I might not be envious

of all you will soon be able

to see and do.

––––––––

Ann Garrett is a published author of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry for children and adults. Her work has appeared in numerous literary journals, anthologies, and magazines. In the children’s market, she is the author of the picture book Keeper of the Swamp, and co-author (with the late Gene-Michael Higney) of the picture books What’s for Lunch?, What’s for Dinner?, Tales of Tails, Fins and Flippers / Scales and Nippers, and Stardusters. Together they also wrote the middle grade Kindle books Peanut Butter BBQ, Miss Hiss is Missing, and Practical Yoke, and the young adult novel War of the Dark God.

Ann’s poetry has been widely published in both adult and children’s publications, including Acumen, The Paradox, Time of Singing, Poetry Motel, Celebration, Short Editions, The Brave New Tick, and many others. Her children’s poetry has appeared in Boy’s Quest, Dirigible Balloon, Kwil Kids Publishing, and Poem Train.

With degrees in Social Work and Sociology from the University of Utah, Ann spent over four decades working with severely disturbed children who had experienced trauma. Now retired from that field, she lives and writes in Southern California.

Learn more at www.anngarrettauthor.com.com.