for Riv
My friend, I cannot
watch you, miles away,
intubated, awash
with medicine, cordoned
amid a hush of mechanical
saviors. I cannot sing
with you, your unabashed
heart brimming with
life in dark nights
of karaoke and root
beer.
I would rather have offered
parts of my body, to keep
you encompassed among
us.
As I live,
as I die, I would rather have
you piecemeal than
not at all.
I could pluck
my beard, cry out
in the wilderness, I
could burn a blessed
candle and offer your
pain to God.
But, I respect your
unbelief and
though this
means
I cannot pray for
you,
but,
my friend,
I will
stand
with you
and hope.