I hadn’t planned on speaking
at my mother’s memorial service,
but my equally reticent siblings looked to me
when the minister issued the invitation.
I had no script nor practiced comments,
but in no time at all the entire congregation
was rolling on the aisles.
Later, everyone thanked me profusely.

Ron. Lavalette has been very widely published in both print and pixel forms. His premier chapbook, Fallen Away, is now available from Finishing Line Press, and a reasonable sample of his poetry and short prose can be found at Eggs Over Tokyo.