i sit amidst the chilled air and wet floor beneath me
dogs moving, excited, and my eyes fall on your image
and words related to you
a sisters response
a picture in the corner of my eye
you..
and i recall hearing the sadness in my lover's voice last night as she recalled how she forgot that it is the anniversary this week of a friend's death
and i think of you
and how these sorts of things should never happen.
too soon
they all say.
you had a smile that was so gentle
and a rhythm i witnessed a few times only
your brief passions exposed though few ever took notice-
the way i did.
i think of you and her and him and the others who have crossed paths with the ceaseless dis- ease
how it must've felt to have release from that i can only imagine
i find comprehension in the letting go
that is all i have left
you were unbreakable i believe
you merely had to lay down to ease the agony.
i grapple with a mother
who has been lying on the floor for years.
more years than i care to remember
and i sit and wait
for the day
she recognizes that she is unbreakable
but must finally lay down...
