son-in-law

by W. H. Shirk

the son-in-law playing griefmeister
speaking for the anguished stupefied widow-to-be
talking too much, orchestrating group movements
to view the raggedly breathing near-to-death spectacle
holding sotto voce family consultations interpreting
life and death in Helen Steiner Rice-like untruisms
and pop theology I cringe God needs more angels...
Exchanging meaningful glances with me I want
to gag it is more than I can undo I can’t even begin
this death is his big moment, he’s in the center
in the eye of life’s gravest storm and grandest event
hoping I suppose someone later will say you were such a help...
I pray for him that he somehow learns to shut up
and I wish God good luck in working around him

Please send questions or orders to jpcp@jpcp.org .
Copyright 1997-2001, Journal of Pastoral Care Publications, Inc.

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