The Table
it was
wonderfully long
like Alice
in Wonderland
and this time
the seats were filled
with real bodies
not pandemic poster
cut-outs
of characters
reminiscent of
that “Unbirthday”
in 2020
and as I sat there
happy
that seats were
finally filled
there was no escaping
the unspoken sadness
of empty seats …
we missed you
Papa
we missed you
Uncle Steve
we missed you
Papa T
we missed you
Uncle Jeff
we missed you
Granny E
we missed you
Reba
we missed you
Joe
yeah, but you
already know
the grief of grieving
is slow
and lasts
the length of life
for those
still sitting
in their seats
singing Happy Birthday
to beloved Granny
and my baby
Boo
TL