Night rain at your mother's house

You lay beside me
Your steady breath a hiss in my ear
In the guest bedroom
After your father died

Downstairs your mother
With her dogs and her wine
Holds herself together

Dreams of your father
The tears of his suddenness
Breathtaking decisiveness
One second dinner
Next second death

There is nothing to do now
Family is consoled
Friends are informed
The march of time
Steps forward without afterthought
Minus a pair of old shoes
Not yet cool

Your hand caresses my side
The dog sleeps in her bed beside ours
Our feet tangle in our custom
I feel so close to you
Yet know your soul is far away

Through the window
I hear the rain outside
A hymn to the cycle
An ode to entropy