dad's transition
Mary Winters
At first - glad to see him
cbeause she missed him:
why she opened up the coffin
to take a look at dad. Mom
looked too - made sure
he wore his wedding ring.
Funeral home helped raise the
lid - proud of its work:
eyelids sewed shut, neat;
hands symmetrically folded.
He looks os rested, so
relaxed, they said -
ten years younger.
Nice suit you picked, said
Aunt - wonder if he's got his
shoes on where we can't see.
Later - glad she didn't touch
his face; just poked his wig.
Dad's first night underground -
was it anything like the
first day home from the
hospital with a new baby:
sense of forever, a fate.
