Corilee
No one can explain
why you’re lying there
frozen in place, hooked up
to all these thingamajigs.
What happened?
Last month we hiked
seven kilometers along
The Salt Marsh Trail.
Did the massive brain bleed
cause a stroke, or
did a stroke cause the bleed?
It’s not important.
I’ve visited you in the ICU
these past five days, and the only
sign of life was your chest moving
as you breathed with the machine.
If you do wake up,
will you still be our Corilee?
*
Roseanne Freed moved from Los Angeles to the east coast of Canada last year. Her debut chapbook “Your Name is a Poem”—dedicated to her late daughter Mahalia Freed—was published by Picture Show Press. She is honored to be a member of ONE ART’s poetry community.
*
In loving memory of
Corilee G. Fox
29/04/1966 – 16/04/2026
Sad and moving poem.
Thank you for reading my poem and taking the time to tell me you were moved. Much appreciated
Very touching poem, and so relatable. Happy birthday, Corilee. Rest in peace.
Thank you Betsy. I wonder whether people on the other side celebrate their birthdays?
I wonder, too. At least let her feel the love.
Thank you Betsy. RIP Corilee
I wonder whether people on the other side celebrate their birthdays?
Such a vivid direct accounting of the devastation of these sudden turns.
Robin it was so sudden and so unexpected we’re all still reeling from it.
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment
Thoughtful and heartfelt. Life just doesn’t make sense sometimes
Life doesn’t make sense. Why would she have a fatal stroke when she was only 59?
The final question is haunting. And her birthday…also haunting
We think we know all the answers because this is 2026 and we’re part of the computer age. Not true.