we were in route to Maui
for a family wedding
when Eunice passed
and I knew it would
happen just that way,
happy and sad
glommed onto
either side
of a infinite fine line
I hadn’t seen her
she didn’t want anyone
seeing her–her seeing
her in their eyes–
I understood this
more than anyone knows
I so wanted to see
her children again
full grown
remember their voices
when we were all
young and possible
hug their hearts
with an A hui hou
Maui breeze
there is a DVD
lent to me
in the yellow-ware
napkin holder
on the cherry server
in the dining room
titled Celebrating
the Life of Mom that
I will need to return
but haven’t yet found
the courage to watch
