Gravestone
There are no birthdays on this gravestone I only come here on your birthdays There are three names, that share a surname Mine On a shiny black slab that covers Three tubs of dust, with room for one more Mine, too If I want it And three dates of ending, of leaving But none of arrival Just three ages – 44, 78, 80 Numbers that might be an achievement Numbers that might be a failure And three generic statements About what nice people you were Caring mother, devoted father, loving sister Nothing about your dreams, Your violence and tenderness Nothing about the drawings you threw away The doors you fitted The blankets you crocheted Nothing about what broke you and raised you to glorious tears There’s no space left, on this shiny black slab For a fourth name, A fourth death date, a fourth age A fourth ordinary platitude And I think that, maybe I don’t really mind. 5 th June 2025