By Winifred Nimrod
“Mail within two weeks after the death of deceased.”
—Emily Post’s Etiquette: The Blue Book of Social Usage.
Who came up with this rule?
Not someone who just left
their mother’s body four feet
deep in the dark, hard ground
of winter. (But that’s what she
would want, of course.
She was proper old school.)
I’ll handwrite them myself,
Like she taught.
Dear (fill in first name),
I am blank, frozen in writing motion.
Thank you for taking the time to attend my mother’s funeral.
I am ripped out of time.
Our family was so thankful for (list: food/flowers/donation)
I am numb and cannot eat. My spine will not let go, it shakes
all day and night long. Do you know how long loss lasts?
Best, Ann’s daughter
I am never going to be called a daughter again.
