We Remember Them

I won't be able to visit graves on Memorial Day this year, but I can remember my deceased family and friends in other ways. In this poem, for example.

Outsourcing

They all prayed my father would rest in peace

   whereas he I’m quite certain was much

relieved to discover a long list of chores awaiting

       a watchmaker’s skills in the heavens

            Spinning galaxies

                           wobbling off axis     

   spewing

                                s t a r d u s t

                              were long overdue                

              for synchronization

And angels were in need of precise adjustments

       to maintain their hairspring balance

                        on the head

                             of a

                             pin

Meanwhile, my mother

     was awarded a route filling

              neglected hummingbird feeders

                     with ruby nectar

               My friend Joan assists overtasked bees

           in pollinating the almond trees

My grandmothers ensure that pies

don’t bubble over in the oven

And when my time comes

I’ll be the one who makes your

book of poetry fall open to

j u s t

           the right

                 page

                             —Jennifer Halling, OSB