To Paul Brand Who Raised Lepers – Poetry by Roberta “Bobby” Santlofer

So rats wouldn’t gnaw their
Fingers & toes

When it came to your death
& you were laid out
Your coffin was scrubbed & the room
Disinfected

So tell me, Paul Brand,
You sympathetic soul
Who rescued noses,
Fingers & toes
How you gave lepers hands
To keep them whole

---

About the Poets

Roberta “Bobby” Santlofer (1943-2020) was a mother of sons, an avid reader, and a poet. A posthumous collection of her poetry is forthcoming. Santlofer’s poems have appeared or are forthcoming in Gargoyle, Philadelphia Stories, Grey Sparrow Review, and elsewhere.