BONNIE
You begin like the rest of us
an egg, a sperm
join in the womb
soft, safe.
Cells duplicate each
hour of the day
differentiate into
organs, bones
plasma, liquids.
Conceived in autumn
born in July
two awaiting parents
four sisters
one brother
large extended family.
We have time
to prepare
welcome you home—
bassinet ready
pastel knitted
blankets
cotton dressing gowns
hand-embroidered bibs
glass bottles
rattles.
We pamper you
feed, change you
hold you, sing
watch you sleep.
But you are in our lives
for a greater purpose
we do not perceive.
When you
suddenly leave
you give us a gift
greater than yourself.
At your very young age
you teach us all
how to survive
the death of one
so fragile
so near
so new.
© Veronica Michalowski, May 30, 2017
Written about her youngest sister, Blanche Mary Michalowski
July 14, 1955—July 19,1955
A graduate of California State University, Fullerton, I received my B.A. and M.A. in Fine Arts, Design and Photography.
My career focused in the fields of ideation, branding, marketing, merchandising, packaging and display design, having created for such firms as Microsoft, Epson, Canon USA, Neutrogena, Crayola, Calaway Golf, Geoffrey Beane, Sunkist, Mattel, as well as many California wineries. I have built and worked with outstanding design teams and received both national and international recognition, many awards and acclaim for exceptional design, including two CLIOs.
Interspersed with this creative work has been a contribution to the educational field, having taught fine arts at California State University, Fullerton as well as Riverside City College, Mount San Antonio College, Laguna College of Art and Design.
I continue to design and paint, travel, read everything and write often, especially poetry, do crossword puzzles daily, love to cook, savor fine wine, collect fine art and antiques.