RTS RIP

I stare at the envelope

She would be 96 years old now

Not one to browse the obituaries

I rarely read the papers anymore

I wonder

Is she still alive?

And if she is how is she?

There are vestiges of her

Around my home

The ugly yellow outdoor carpet

Screw holes from plant hangers

A grab rail in the bathroom

And the residue of adhesive

Shapes of flowers

Slip savers

That come forth in the wet tub

I stare at the return address

There were many of them this year

This one New Jersey

And as I scrawl RTS across her old address

Now mine

I think the people re-receiving this post

Do they wonder RIP?

Etching

a relief in metals

linear and beautiful.

inked for eternity

shared again and again.

simple papers

and intricate drawings

aguafuerte masculino.

today I told our story.

chronicled these journeys

of friendship and love.

and so much more

we can look forward to.

an art piece unfinished

to carry to our end.