Gertrude received
another postcard
today
of what it's like in Paris
during the month
of May.
A dear friend had sent greetings
from Rome
last week.
"Oh Gertrude,
here's two kisses
on either cheek!"
"In Kenya
we're on safari
where the lions run free!"
"So many postcards"
cried Gertrude
"and they're all for me!"
Now old Gertrude was lonely
and she just needed
someone
to tell her of the places
where they had
so much fun.
Of course
Gertrude was on a fixed pension
and her budget was tight
but she was grateful
for the small glimmer
of a traveler's insight.
One day they found Gertrude
surrounded
by her mail
in an epitaph
which spoke the truth
of this sad tale.
She had been determined
to fight depression
by taking a creative stand
and every postcard
which arrived
was written by the same hand.
**************************************************