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By Lilly Sayenga
I can see you
Can you hear me?
Can you speak to me?
Do you know me?
I watch you become
Taxidermy
As your brain betrays you It kills me
Does it hurt
To stuff the cotton
In
Does it hurt
To not remember
It
I am so sorry
We let you die alone
Quarantined and made taxidermy
Did you know we still loved you
As we watched you
Through the computer
In the backyard
Did you hear me
When I sang
Did you remember me
Or was the cotton plugging
All of it out
As long as it didn’t hurt
As long as you can forgive me
It’s okay
As long as you don’t mind
Only being a memory
When you lost yours
I am sorry
But at least you are
In some way
Preserved in me
I wear your jacket
Big and black
The sleeves dangle off my fingertips I am glad
That the cotton didn’t plug that
Since this hugs my body
Instead of your grasp
I carry you around with me
As I walk to class
I hope you’ll forgive me
I am trying my best
To remember what I have
I am not stuffed yet
I am not done yet
So I will be the keeper of your taxidermy memory
If you will let me
