In the dark cold, on a cement floor,

fingers fondled over dusty stored

records in the cleared-out garage.

Now empty, memories of music playing in a full house,

small children running from room to room

holiday laughter humming over conversation.

I thought of you all, no longer with us,

lost in time. Rhythmic warm embraces of friendship

dressed up as family. Redolence of Christmas

songs yelling out. Crackling fireplace

with years of photos. Pinnacle of possibilities

before the deaths stack up in closure to an end.