My Love You Died in My Dream Last Night

I did not know it was possible (your constancy

being among your chief characteristics)

and I, bereft, could not think of how to tell our child

and so kindly you got up and together we admired

the suit in which you chose to be buried

and your ongoing good humor.

I thought it would not last long, your ability

to continue talking with a body going soft

and tried to limit my conversation so as to have you

a few more hours, but also was buzzing with questions

of what I was now to do without you, questions

I could ask no one else—what do they know—

and when at last you admitted your need

to lay yourself  back down in the coffin

I cut a square of  light from my throat

and when you closed your eyes I buried it with you.