For Mitchell Candreva IV

One
I walked-and not many men take that miracle as it is:
to walk, to take that split second between footfalls
where we are bent forward yet backward as if ready
to tumble this way or that-
I walked in the way that I thought would make you proud.
That is to say, I walked with a smile on my face.

Two
I slept
and that says enough-that I could find the time to lay to rest
without the heat of your chest
and dreamnt of the shape of your arms around my neck.
A noose that gave warmth instead of taking.