We talked about death again at Thanksgiving
like we always do, who is, how to.
Scattered ashes versus donated
organs versus taxidermy. Aunt
Wanda, who won't die again this week.
Teeth - cavities, root canals, implants,
crowns, general decay - dominates
dessert conversations three past years,
the competition for most anguish
endured not fierce but mean. Every meal
like every meal, holiday after
holiday: accounting for who died,
inventorying the remaining,
recitations of new impairments,
begrudged happiness that I was there.
