The man in the ICU, your family
breathing through your painful inhales,
so little comfort in the exhales.
From a distance I breathe with you, too.

Together we swim back in time
to, yes, the pools but also to your
bedroom, sitting on orange shag,
you with guitar in lap, grinning,

teaching yourself what you most
need to learn—from “Mood
for a Day,” so much more than
a piece of instrumental music,

to us harmonizing “When It’s Sleepy
Time Down South,” becoming
proficient in life and love in ways
you have honed ever since.

Now I count breaths with you
in 4/4 time—one, two, three, four—
switching to an easy waltz—
one, two, three. I remember you

in water, floating, swimming,
and on it, fishing. Your great laugh.
May you float now in this time
out of time; may you float back

to your beloveds, who wait,
who watch you sleep, who breathe
with you into the place that opens
with every breath.

•••

For Dean Falltrick, with love.

•••

You can watch Steve Howe, composer, playing “Mood for a Day” here.