february
my father dies quickly on the other side of the country
i buy a plane ticket, buy a face sheild, buy a pack of cigarettes
my father dies slowly ten miles from here
my friends sing loudly, hold closely, pour generously
my father dies as soon as he looses the ability to tell us,
we patiently wait for the rest of him to catch up
it all takes ten days
from first to last hospital call, and
i spend february’s reamining 18 days
in a bassinet of sunburned and age spotted arms;
grateful for the love that always shows up
to wrap around me.
4 thoughts on "february"
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“bassinet of sunburned and age spotted arms” This image. Keep doing this, it is wonderful.
such a strong poem. the saying, ‘grief comes in waves’ is ever-present here with your description of your father’s passing. I’m glad to know love carried you through this pain. thanks for sharing!
Like the repetition of ‘my father dies and especially like: i spend february’s reamining 18 days
in a bassinet of sunburned and age spotted arms;
grateful for the love that always shows up
to wrap around me.
very very very powerful