Both Hands, Both Feet, Both Eyes,
a Life: for these I'd receive the Principal Sum,
 
though there'd be limitations, forms
to fill out. If it wasn't ptomaines,
 
bacterial infection, a self-inflicted wound
or a war (declared or not),
 
I'd be referred to the Table of Benefits,
Class III, Page 2. $20,000.00
 
isn't much, certainly not
for the tears (if eyes
 
were not among the members
lost), barely enough to cover
 
your bones. Already I've dug a hole and begun
to fill it--shared couchette on the train
 
to Rome (asked sposato? we beamed
like newlyweds), hike to Yokum Ridge
 
(when the trail gave way
to ice and rock, you climbed,
 
I watched). I'm in Bishop's boat--
the one with all the rainbows--
 
fireweed, skyrocket, paintbrush.
Red shorts. Blue bandana. Perfect arc
 
of your back.