Front Porch Review
A literary magazine for the young at heart and mind

Friends float through
Touch my hand
Leave paper kisses
On my dry cheeks
Bring perky cards, or

Books I will never read
Starched smiles
Averted eyes
Whispered
Hints of hope

I read my obituary
On their faces

Tubes from every pore
Oxygen hisses, IV’s tick
Beyond the reach of time
Friends float through
Return to cars

Chatting and chattering
Relieved to be free
Of white sheets and
Disinfectant
Doors slam, engines rev

Horns honk goodbyes
As they head home
To warm houses
Falling asleep
To wake again

I whisper prayers that
Died long ago
Take pink pills
And close my eyes

Friends float through
The mist of my mind
Distant light summons

By Claire Scott

Claire Scott is an award winning poet who has been nominated twice for the Pushcart Prize (2013 and 2014).  She was a semi-finalist for both the 2014 Pangaea Prize and the 2014 Atlantis Award. Her first book of poetry, Waiting to be Called, was recently published by IF SF Publishing.  Claire is a psychotherapist with a private practice in Berkeley, CA.  She lives with her husband in Oakland, CA and has two children, two children by marriage and five grandchildren.  All of which keep her wonderfully busy! Her email address: