Eulogy

She drowned
on a white bed.

"Please don't tell me
you can't do anything for me."

"It proceeded to do
every wicked thing to her body."

Tuesday doctors told her father she was having strokes
Thursday she had brain damage

She had smoker's lungs from too many Parliament Lights
she drowned on a white bed

She was my Nina
and the last time I saw her
was the last time I saw her

It was the night of the final performance
she had five minutes to make you fall in love with her
she nailed it every time

Two months later
I picked up a newspaper
when I saw her picture on the front page
from which I take my text

It was one week from the first cough
to the stilled heart
and the stillborn dreams

Twenty years old
she drowned on a white bed

She leaves behind family and friends
wind and sunlight
breath and music
pleasures and cares

She is survived by us.