ELEGY

(Uncle Bernie, 1912-1993)

For the lullaby story of butterflies and gnomes,

Three moons and a cracked river.

For the hairy, fleshy hands pulling coins from my ear,

Three moons and a cracked river.

For blue silk suits, perfumed face, and blue-nimbus cigar,

Three moons and a cracked river.

For loud kisses we traded on each other’s bald head,

Three moons and a cracked river.

And for the mute blind dwarf curled up like a molt,

Three moons, a cracked river.