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Guest Voices

Before and After

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Reni Lazarov

 

I  remember a photo of Ima in Sofia.

A beauty to behold,

Striking a movie star pose.

 

Her crisp school uniform is long gone.

The faded flannel nightgown is worn.

 

I try to convince, not knowing how to begin.

It’s worth getting up,

It’s worth getting out of bed,

Getting dressed.

 

It’s not so bad, I plead.

It could be worse, I lie.

 

She smiles, looking into my eyes.

I’m grateful,

She forgives my lies.

 

March 9, 1996