Eulogy for the Artist's Child

I raised my head up from him
and said, I bet Phyllis Schaffly
wouldn't do that for you
such a surprise it was
because there wasn't a thing
to tell him about this
soul essay of mine.
I've tried to shield them
from this aperture
for so long but without
success because it leaks
out of the pores sometimes.
She is dead they say,
she is in a photograph
in another time, she was
the best thing that ever happened
or was ever lost.
This whole memoir
written on the head
of a pin, scattered
in the cupboards,
established a reality
even though no one
thought to look at such
a thing. Her own soul essay.

This is the day no one wants
to be that guy.
As Gaza is surrounded
and buries the dead
and waits for more,
this is the day no one wants
to be that guy.

Incantations for the dead
and the living, incantations
cannot hold the shovels
or level the dirt upon the graves.
Secret messages go out
between the bird squabbles,
the air here contains
some of the smoke,
some of the incredible
heartbreak of others.

Here is the wisdom
of the soul essay
as it counts up and remembers
each unlucky one.
We've been very lucky so far.