POETRY |
Stern Grove Park, San Francisco - Photo by Jessica Jones
You Invited Me on a Picnic *
by Vivian Imperiale
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It was time to go.
I walked outside to wait for you. You were picking me up for a picnic and I was delighted I’d be with you. You didn’t talk about your AIDS diagnosis— mysterious letters I didn’t comprehend. What was that, anyway? Instead you were just you, which was everything—the perfect man. Your laughter, your wit, your exuberance kept me smiling and, as always, adoring you. It was time to go. You picked up your picnic blanket. You carefully folded it and handed it to me. “Here. Take it. I won’t be needing it anymore.” That’s how you told me. It was time to go. * Previously published in CCSF’s Forum Magazine
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vivian (Sinick) Imperiale left her 18-year career as support staff in a real estate office because of a chance encounter with a man with schizophrenia. Since then, she has been a mental health advocate for over 40 years, including 20 years employed in the field. Vivian has a BA in Psychology and an MA in Special Education.
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Vistas & Byways Review is the semiannual journal of fiction, nonfiction and poetry by members of Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at San Francisco State University.
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Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at San Francisco State University (OLLI at SF State) provides communal and material support to the Vistas & Byways volunteer staff.
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