Charlene James-Duguid’s most recent poem to appear here was “A Tale from the Old West” (Septemer 2018).

Layers of real life
Intrude on false happiness.
Euphoria gone.

Life ends with whimper.
Death panels like dry leaves fly.
Fog preempts all light.

Salvage a laugh or
Two, perhaps three or four, more,
Like a clover’s bloom.

Find a friend, share these.
Delight in fresh strawberries
Juicy on your tongue.