Beady eyes make the rounds
finger tapping on the dinner table
deep sighs and hushed breaths
an empty seat to the side
elephants in a room.
Silence blows round like random selection
memories rise to the surface
like a family coming up for air
no gasps, no chokes, no tears
for today that time has passed.
Chairs shift restlessly
and bodies are adjusted
looking up at the ceiling to wonder
how and why—
for what reason.
Cards opened to share sympathies
like different birds perched on skin
walking along the tusks
sweet, gentle words to the open ear
through giving mouths, hands, and bodies.
Sequences begin to permeate like spring
bees buzzing around dropping off honey
like liquid pixy dust, creating happy thoughts
lifting our dumbo ears off the ground
the huge flaps as open as ever.
They had been closed off
deaf to the ringing noise of news
ignorant of unfathomable realities
glued shut like flinching eyes
trying to force out bad dreams that weren’t there.
Pursed lips opened to share the wealth
of what wasn’t mentioned
hung around and hung above
like a scintillating chandelier
reflecting tangible glimpses.
The elephants stayed stationed
but the herd was moving again
if only for that moment, that night
addressing the absence of the baby
who ever present, always present
would be celebrated, for all time.