This morning, I read from numerous people that Jennifer Martelli is gone.
I scrambled for a photo, searching the Boston Poetry Marathon archives.
Then I remembered she couldn't attend this year. That hurt at the time.
As I mentioned when she featured online at Stone Soup Poetry this year, I viewed her as a poetry rock star thanks to the Marathon. Especially when she read during one of the feisty Friday night slots.
I was hoping to add back a Friday night to next year's Marathon in some capacity. Jennifer would have been one of my hopefuls to pick that time slot.
Luckily, I found a group photo from the recent Micro Marvels feature at the Salem Literary Festival.
I'm very grateful to Micro Marvels mastermind Susanna Baird for organizing that spot. You can see both her and Jennifer on the far right of the photo.
You never know when it's going to be your last time with anyone. I certainly would have spoken with her more that day.
It's times like this I feel something in my chest and automatically think it's heart palpitations.
It doesn't make sense, but neither does Jennifer's passing.
I don't care about the facts. Not at a time like this. If anyone deserves their face on a f--king coin, it's a selfless poet who overcame obstacles and never stopped.
A friend recently asked on Facebook "Why is everyone dying?"
There are logical answers, but even then I knew they would all be insulting to mention.
I will leave it to others who knew her better to eulogize her properly. I just wanted to say my quick and angry goodbye.
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