Definition

*For Marjorie Clarke*

"She's a cultured woman,
brilliant too," my mother said.
"You'll never see her
dressed in slacks."
Gosh, I saw such different shine
in turquoise opals of your eyes.
Soft and subtle tiger strength --
an engine driving through taut clouds.
Transcending illness like a fact
you read about and squeeze
between the other books --
continuance in river pulse.

There are those who glisten
when health is just
a broken starfish sitting
on a lonely beach.
Your goodnight kiss
must make your husband
feel he's drinking orange juice.

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