Eric Forbes

Duke is dead.
And it all goes
back to you.

I wouldn’t know him
or the men in this room
if it wasn’t for you.

[And yet, you're not here.]

Holding his head
between my hands
speaking softly if at all.

Eyes fixed upon eyes.

“I’m starting the injection” she said
calmly, squeezing the
syringe into his
femoral vein.

He felt no pain.

Eyes fixed upon eyes,
my soul attached to him.
Connected, then wafting away.

Both of us entranced,
unable to blink,
unable to miss the moment.
As a sweet dog’s life
[and you]
ebb away.

Doing dishes this morning,
remembering you.

Missing the sensation of
washing your hands under
running water.

I took my time washing.
I savored every sudsy second,
imagining it for you.

submerging
sponging
rinse
repeat

I have the certain sense,
you’ll be all-right.

When you’re back at the sink
with running water
running water
running water