whatso the dead speak to me

nonot in wordsnor thoughts

in softnessfeelings probedvisionsin aches and lossand wisdom

perceptionlessbottomlesssensefrom the pit of my soul

the end of meand the beginningof what I can no longer be

and so my dear friendsyou who have shared closenessfor moments and moreyou to whom my being has beenbound

and so too my ancestorsbrothers and sistersmothers and fathersaunts and unclesgrandmothers and grandfathersand oh my childrenfrom these my many pastsall that birthed meto hereanother deathand another and another

I cannot speakwhat cannot be spoken

can only bring forthmy present warmthagainst the chill

in softnessfeelings probedvisionsin aches and lossand wisdom