11/6/2024
of the stories shared
at your memorial service
your friend from middle school
told my favorite
she described how you often
held the door open
for those who walked
down the hall behind you
it didn’t matter
what they were carrying
or who they were
if they were far away
or close you waited
patiently for them to arrive
chatting fidgeting
casually leaning against
the bright frame
of her story braced
against the heavy metal
of the doorway
I recognize you immediately
you never could be quiet for long nor
did you ever take from someone
the power of carrying what they chose
to carry you never resented
opening the way and waiting
it has always been like you
to allow us the dignity of pretending
we are the ones doing you a favor
listening to your stories
laughing together
as you quietly make sure
as you did even way back then
that the walk to get wherever
the door at the end
of the hallway leads
is never lonely