I helped clean out my grandmother's house this afternoon.
She died a few weeks ago.
I neatly tossed things into cardboard boxes -
Jewelry, clothing, empty oxygen tanks
All went in.
There was this crucifix above the bed.
I could feel empty eyes looking at me
From were he was nailed on that cross
As I took it down off the wall.
He seemed sad, heart broken over the state of this world.
I only thought about it for a minute,
Then threw him in the box
And turned away.

I met with my lover this evening.
My heart murmured to me
As he smiled to me at one point -
My heart fluttered.
He smelled soapy and clean
And his arms were strong and warm,
Brown as cool earth.
He leaned close and whispered "I love you."
This echoed in my heart and mind for days
As I kissed his gentle lips
And turned away.