LIFTING
THE COVERS
FOR THE DEAD



never
to touch
his flesh again

    TOM

    every
    tale begins
    at the beginning

    PETER

    before
    the fireplace
    our own heat

    MICHAEL

    mostly
    laughter but
    that one time

    DENNIS

    after
    cactus bloom
    a garden refulgent

    BOBBY

    leaping
    over snow
    to pillow glow

    ALAN

    when
    a kiss
    makes you fly

    RICHARD

    catching
    our breaths
    on the whirligig


except
the poem
brings him back