Paul was never needed
as long as I was there.
We could have folded him up
placed him in the cedar chest.
We could have set him up
in a storage unit.
He sat detached from us
though close in proximity.
He was more translucent
than invisible.
He gathered up
whatever we wasted.
Paul stood still
as a corn stalk.
His body bent
toward our sorrow.
He seamlessly replaced me
when I passed.
copyright © 2020 Kenneth P. Gurney
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