good grief

good grief
rca 8/12/08

he often left for work with grief
in his bag. he did just that even
on christmas or new year's eve
for that that matter. he always did.

he served it to his guests, his grief.
over tea, over dinner, even on
his birthday party every 12th
of december. he always did.

the neighbors thought, including me
that a turned leaf from him was
not to be expected. but at times i,
doubted them. even now, i still do.

a week ago, he left the world
with something else in his bag,
i suppose. he was smiling, i recall,
when i saw him on the open casket.

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