Elegy by Keith Giles

and so we make ourselves ready
with cloth and comb and polish
measuring the circumference
of a life once lived
careful with our hands
we smooth the wrinkles
straighten the crease
immerse ourselves in sunlight
shallow and warm and silent

we cradle the glass
in trembling palms
take sips between exchanges unspoken
breathing slowly
when it comes between us
unexpected, quiet, and dark.

we make ourselves ready.