After Your Death
The first time we said your name
you broke through the flat crust of your grave
and rose, a movable statue,
walking and talking among us.
Since then you've grown a little.
We keep you slightly larger
than life-size, reciting bits of your story,
our favorite odds and ends.
Of all your faces we've chosen one
for you to wear, a face wiped clean
of sadness. Now you have no other.
You're in our power. Do we
terrify you, do you wish
for another face? Perhaps
you want to be left in darkness.
But you have no say in the matter.
As long as we live, we keep you
from dying your real death,
which is being forgotten. We say,
we don't want to abandon you,
when we mean we can't let you go.
Lisel Mueller
We also say goodbye to our sister-in laws mother this week. I wish we could have gotten her up to our little farm. She was a true country girl. I wish she could have taught me a few things about canning, cooking, cows and chickens. Emma Lu, we'll see you in the stars tonight.
