—MOONLIGHT FALLS LIKE RAIN

What the Dead Say

Some of the dead say, “I never thought that’d be me.”

Some of the dead say, “I thought it’d be much sooner.”

Some of the dead hold hands with the living, though the living can’t feel them.

Some of the dead float around town, bored as geese.

Some of the dead want their respect back, their name back, their life back.

Some of the dead circle the sky like a drunken planet.

Some of the dead say, “I’m your father, or I'm your mother, and I know it’s too late, but I’m sorry." 

Some of the dead don’t know they’re dead, but they sleep in the same bed together nonetheless, year after year.