Solange and Mimi
(Tribute to Solange Marcin)

By Tatiana Pahlen

I was drawn to your wit and culture,
My former colleague and soul-mate.
You lived alone with Mimi, your cat.
Her mission dealt with house mice
That occupied a historic building,
Running them like spoiled brats.

In France you were a stage director,
Before migrating to New York.
Working for years at the same firm,
You became my mentor...
We grew extremely close.

You were as playful as your cat –
Delighted to be active,
Expressing the funniest of faces,
Mimicking your Mimi!

Diving deep into my poetic forms,
Solange spread light wherever she went;
Attending my open mike readings,
She showed motherly love,
Before her life suddenly ended.

Getting no response for days,
I dialed the police to check.
Since she was fragile from age,
Worries preoccupied my heart.
They asked me to call back,
Then gave me a cold shoulder.
They asked if I knew Pierre,
Her estranged brother from Paris.

I had a chance to meet him,
But it never happened.
Pierre abruptly took off from New York
Without saying "au revoir."
He changed his flight ticket –
Solange never learned why.

For two years I remained restive.
What had happened to my friend?
Searching for news daily
Until her death became a fact.

Your last email revealed
Your building lacks heat.
To keep warm you wore more layers.
The mailing was dated October 30th!
Your death is listed as the 8th of December.

Did the cold torment you?
I wished I could read tarot cards.
The thought of your last agonizing days,
Each time breaks my heart.

Solange, I miss you deeply.
I kept your death away from colleagues,
I wanted to prolong your life.
One day I will discover
Why your fate stole you from me.
I wish I would have visited you often.
What happened to your precious Mimi?
So many unknowns
Keeps me restless at night.

October 26, 2015

Copyright © 2015 Tatianyc. All Rights Reserved.


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