Classic Poem

Hardy's kneeling oxen; Merrill's sword
dangling death over the youth in bed;
Frost's lover hankering for a counter-word;
Ransom's white geese who cried in goose Alas —

you poems we read my brother in those last
phone calls, so that instead of silences
the valedictory music of each phrase
filled his weeks and days,

help me today, please. Come with me to class.
Up two flights to Conklin Hall, fourth floor.
Pause; door is closed. Regroup. It's five to four.
Remember who is waiting for me there.

David, who died twelve hours ago,
is part of me, and I am part of you,
Serene, Muhammad, Gladies, Osner, Chad.
I offer you no more than what I've had.

lavished on me. Love what you give away:
aha! you get to keep it till you die.
The keeping is synonymous with giving.
My brother gave as long as he was living,

and longer, after, more.
I open the door.











From Poetry Magazine, Vol. 187, no. 1, October 2005. Used with permission.