amigo ausente

well
I’m sorry

I know I should be glad
that he’s in heaven
now

but I liked him
liked his presence
even in
the way-distant way I knew it
knew him

I like
the name he chose

I like the way he tried

I don’t like the way
that we heard
and he looked ill

and now
that’s not a problem

but I liked his look
of love on Earth
and now
we won’t have

save in pictures and maybe
in the same wide way
a new one

new papa

I wish I could have visited
and heard him chat with friends
(are
popes allowed
to have
friends)
to have heard the Spanish
easy on his lips like home
heard an easy laugh
from him
at something
a friend without expectations
might have said

c l couch


photo by Fr. Daniel Ciucci on Unsplash