The Wardrobe's Best Dressed: Something Kindred by Nicole Tallman

This selection, chosen by guest editor Kirsten Kowalewski, is from Something Kin dred by Nicole Tallman (Southern Collective Experience 2022).

On The Last Moments Leading Up To Your Death

(excerpt)

The Hospice nurse’s name is Natalie. She hands me a book to prepare me for your death. She tells me it won’t be long.

You die around 4:44 p.m. There are four of us in the room: Dad, your twin sisters, and me. It’s too much for your mother, and I’ve asked the others to give us space. It’s too many people for you to let go of. And I know who you really want there. Your heart is strong so it takes long for your body to go. I try walking away to see if that might help you transition. You hold on. I hold your feet at the end of the bed. It isn’t until I whisper in your ear, Thank you for being such a good mother to me. I love you. You can go now. that you finally let yourself go. I count every one of your breaths. Watch the slower and slower rise and fall of your chest. The rattle of each last breath. Until Dad tells me that’s it. I look at the clock. Then I text Natalie to let her know you’re gone.

Nicole Tallman is the author of three collections: Something Kindred, Poems for the People, and FERSACE. She serves as Miami’s official Poetry Ambassador, Editor of Redacted Books, and Poetry Editor for South Florida Poetry Journal and The Blue Mountain Review. Find her on social media @natallman and at nicoletallman.co m.

Kirsten Kowalewski is the editor for online horror fiction review resource Monster Librarian. She has an MLS and a specialist certificate in school library media from Indiana University, has worked as a children’s librarian and elementary school media specialist, and is a lifelong reader.