Individuals of the 2009 Swine Flu Pandemic: Conner Woodruff
From Aberdeen Washington where he attended Robert Gray Elementary School, 12 year-old Conner Woodruff died of complications from swine flu. Woodruff was in good health and did not suffer from other medical conditions. Sent home from school two days prior, Woodruff lost consciousness and was taken to the hospital where it was determined that his heart had become inflamed.
Family members remembered Woodruff as having a passion for reading and would “recommend books to the librarian and the teachers.” His mother said he “never met a book he didn’t like.” His friends and family said “he was amazon. Just an amazing kid. Probably the kindest heart. He drove people to him.”1
Conner Woodruff 2
Remembrance by Maya Angelou
Your hands easy
weight, teasing the bees
hived in my hair, your smile at the
slope of my cheek. On the
occasion, you press
above me, glowing, spouting
readiness, mystery rapes
my reason
When you have withdrawn
your self and the magic, when
only the smell of your
love lingers between
my breasts, then, only
then, can I greedily consume
your presence.