Losing an Anchor

I watch the news on PBS
The rare times I’m inclined,
For their reporters are, to me,
Well-spoken and refined.

Election times are when I turn
To listen to their panel
And there’s no need to ever feel
I need to change the channel.

Gwen Ifill was an anchor there,
As classy as they come.
The news of her demise has left me
Sad, surprised and numb.

Her absence from the station
Led, as far as I could tell,
To some viewer speculation
That she wasn’t feeling well.

For I’d bet the chance to talk
After the candidates debated
Would be one she’d never miss unless
She’d had to be sedated.

I’ll not soon forget Gwen Ifill
With her funky specs of blue.
She performed in brilliant fashion,
Which is what she’d meant to do.