For William, Who Lived Twelve Hours

He knew our mother best
her soft ellipsis,
knew how to turn like an otter
in the small swimming hole.
She offered him lungs.
He would not take them.
Just washed up on shore,
something not yet invented.

Copyright © 2004 Janice Moore Fuller All rights reserved
from Sex Education
Iris Press
Reprinted by Verse Daily® with permission