“Family To Do Lists–Dec 26, 1961” by Nancy Issenman
Poetry Pause is the League of Canadian Poets’ daily poetry dispatch. Read “Family To Do Lists–Dec 26, 1961” by Nancy Issenman.
Family To Do Lists–Dec 26, 1961
By Nancy Issenman
FATHER
Shovel sidewalk
Dig out first daughter’s car from snowbank
Pick up wife faint at bottom of stairs
Carry wife upstairs to bed
Rest in den
Consider smoking a cigarette
Meet with colleague in den
Have a heart attack
Die before ambulance arrives
Wonder who will take care of them now
MOTHER
Worry about husband outside
Run downstairs, faint at the bottom
Feel guilty about husband’s exertion
Drink four cups of strong coffee
Contemplate father’s death a year ago
Curse
Light a cigarette
Worry about first daughter’s illness
Hear the ambulance
Pray husband’s death is a bad dream
Wonder how she can survive
FIRST DAUGHTER
Pick at scalp and nail beds
Stare at wall
Prepare for appointment at hospital
Back car up into snowbank
Feel guilty about father’s exertion
Describe panic to psychiatrist
Talk on phone with boyfriend
Scream for help
Plan to go with father in ambulance
Stare at wall
Wonder who will take care of her
SECOND DAUGHTER
Pray
Abandon all faith
Copyright © Nancy Issenman
Nancy Issenman, a Jewish, queer writer, lives on unceded Lekwungen territory. Her poems appear in League of Canadian Poets (Poem in your Pocket,) Scrivener Creative Review; her story is published in don’t tell: family secrets (Demeter Press,) and plaque with her poem was installed in Alta Lake Park after winning the Whistler Poetry Pause prize, 2024.
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