~for Paul
how did it feel
brother
when they wrenched you from
was it like a forbidden secret we shared
hearing you had driven
down a public flight of
inside the champagne bubble
we seized twenty years ago
can love cushion the shock
of our last parting
how long do memories like that last where you are
do you know your leave-taking was a simple lyric
and memories of that last day still summon awe
I’ve been praying for your return
There is nothing you need set right little brother
come let me feast my
come let me say a
before the vessel in your bursts once again
and they shine the white light
and the light is your swan song
come before you ghost us again
Joanne Godley is a physician, writer, poet, and an MFA student in poetry at Pacific University. Her poetry has been published or is forthcoming in the Bellevue Literary Review, Mantis, Light, FIYAH, Pratik, Account, among others. She was twice nominated for a Pushcart prize. Her second chapbook, Doc.X, is forthcoming by Black Sunflowers Press.