Fran Claggett-Holland (for her birthday)
For Fran, at 97
How can I possibly thank
my friend Fran
who saw the poet inside
on the first day we met?
I phoned her, a stranger,
our county’s icon,
brought a stack of poems
—not mine—to her home
for newsletter review
Could I sift strong
from weak?
She invited me
to her own group
Prose dwindled
poems flourished.
To be seen
happy birthday, fran...thanks for birthing amrita's poet!
Bravo, Fran, for helping Esther find her poet within! We are all the richer for that. Happy birthday!