Crab

cancer is the crab
scuttling in sideways
unexpectedly biting your toe
the salty sea stinging your eyes
smelling hotdogs and sunscreen.

It is the clumps of hair in the bathtub drain
the laundry list
cucumber, english muffins,
haagen dash ice cream
(it has more protein)

It is the clean slice
crisp as the air on a winter day
the sun shining bright and weak

It is the tea bag
salty with your teardrops
left on the coffee table
in front of the fire

do we really go dust to dust?
or sea to shining sea?

I saw you this morning
Driving up first street
You looked like you might be turning
When I looked in the rearview, you were gone

Of course,
It wasn't you
Couldn't be you.

But perhaps in this pandemic moment
When the living cannot travel
The spirits are reveling in the free airways
Touching in for quick visits,
Exploring new places.

I'm honored you came to see this place.
I imagine you floating on thermals
High above Dehradun
Rising up Pack Monadnock
above the brilliant foliage

Or your fiery spirit
burning down the patriarchy
or fighting the New England chill
with a spicy hand blended chai
or a cognac

Maybe I can call upon it
The reformer of the advocacy cohort
calling on your courage
your passion
calling out injustice
and calling in the movement

as you welcomed so many
asking the questions
that felt so hard, they were unimaginable

Thank you for sharing
the sweaty incongruities of Cuba
Joy mixed with frustration
The stillness of the monastery
The anger of a cultural trip poorly planned
And the grace of forgiveness
Your house and your kitties, Little and Big
Your faith and your doubts
Belly laughs and hot tears
And above all
Your fiery loyal friendship