Last One Standing

"Your mother's gone"
She said over the phone
and fear ran through me like lightning
my chest tightened
my chest loosened

And I began again
trying, reaching

"Your aunt's in the hospital"
She said over the phone
and power ran through me like lightning
my family tightened
her children became like mine

And I began again
teaching, loving

"We lost Her"
He said over the phone
and shock ran through me like lightning
my breath tightened
and I was sick

And I couldn't begin again
broken, beaten
alone.

But I am my mother, a teacher in my heart
and I am my Aunt, loving her children
and I will be my last Aunt, a steel magnolia
Holding my family together,
The Last One Standing.