she sits in her room

with a notebook

writing a poem with shaky hand

she is 99 today

and all alone

having seen all her 4 children

pass away one by one

she has lost so much

her home

her family

her mobility

yet she has not lost

her will to write

the one thing that keeps her going

the one constant in her long full life

now all alone

among strangers in assisted living

she has come down to this

her last possessions

only pen and paper

yet her saving grace

providing sustenance to her lovely soul

we celebrate her birthday

we celebrate her remarkable life

wondering how so small a lady

could survive so much

and how so small a lady

could be such a sterling tower of strength.