Brother Death

Even in the last days you need clean clothes; 

therefore you may be found in the laundry

mornings, small task against the larger one

of not breathing. With simple joy

men may forget to fear their deaths.

Six inches of snow reminds us of its dominance

in a pleasant way. Coming and going of sleep, 

circling of the moon around the earth, earth

around the sun. The great man dies

and this makes death more noble for us all.

It is with joy that I accept the pains

that herald my end. I do my job well.

I go to the well and break the ice for water.

The bucket comes up full of dying wonder.