12/08/2003

His death
slow enough
and painful
moved him
to hang
a large crucifix
on the wall
of his room.
Of all
the indispensable
make believe
addressing death
and rebirth
because this one
especially
is concerned with
an excruciating end
reflecting on its meaning
helped ease
his own leave taking.
Hearing this helped
when a dream
dropped its cargo
of fright
in my sleep
for
instead of bolting
I was able to
hold my ground
repeating
under my breath
one step
at a time
until
the delivery
changed its mind
into something
I found useful.