The New Invictus
For Dan, my Captain, gone 7 years
I woke up with the wet washcloth on my forehead brain
Tears from the memory of heat and water mixed with salt
(Too much, but not enough)
I went to grab a glacier and came back empty-handed
Hope sinking by the belief that Our Love was stronger than the Titanic
(Too much, but not enough)
I was the Captain of an Unsinkable Fate
Life hit with the Reality of cold and wet mangled by impact
(Too much, but not enough)
Oh, my Captain,
The sea was rough and the ship sunk
(Too much, but not enough)
I gave myself these titles—some, in secret
Master, Captain, Wife, Protector…on and on and on…
(Too much, but not enough)
Impossible Identities
Like oil and water and that tired myth of Sisyphus
The ship sunk anyway
I woke up
(Too much, but not enough)
Much, but not enough
But not enough
Not enough
Enough
*This is dedicated to Mr. Rossell who “made” us memorize this and other epic poetry for no good reason…except for it comes in handy when accessing one’s deep emotions.
