to pay respects

if a human is
only automated dust
what matters?

the sky affirms
the earth––
day affirms
night––

the baby smile.
the kiss.
the handshake.

only a mad man
would not want
to hug
his brother––

yet the world is
mad.

some of us hate,
some take more
than is our
due

& others
kill.

still, there is so much
love––

cities & subways,
hip hop &
mozart.

when a good person
doing good
dies––

we want to hold
their dead body
in our arms
& tell them
how much
they helped us
grow our
hearts.

we want to write down
their name & all
we remember
about them––
to call-out to them
as they depart &
keep their strength
inside us.

so we pay
respects & pray our
thanks for all
they were & all
we are.

& everyday we prove
dust cares,
stands up upon this earth &
goes on breathing––

we can not,
will not, ever
forget.