Lament for
           Andrew Yates

by

Lois Francis

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       Mad woman
           filled with shame
              for unfulfilled
	dreams and intentions
	   wishing to be
		  the perfect wife
		     the ideal mother
		        but failing so pathetically;
		           five babies birthed—and drowned
		               by her own hand—
		    but who was there to hear,
		      to help, to stop her—
		        husband, doctor
		          church, community
		            let her sink
			   	   alone
			          into the
			       	   downward
			               spiral

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