Last Laugh Poem by patricia McAuleyRamsden

He was killed instantly, they said, walking home he was hit
his body scattered on the highway, near the river
bits here and pieces there
ribcage crushed, pelvis smashed
distorted, still in shock
He hadn't seen the speeding truck.
they found his smile nose still attached
lying bloody in the ditch with missing eyes
they didn't find his laugh, he was laughing
that deep-throated laugh he always laughed
when he was pleased of happy
amused at some joke or crazy word of hers
and she was with him
they found her holding on to just his hand
I thought I heard it once or twice, his laugh that is,
while walking near the river
I was told it was just the wind or the rustling of the trees
but
I wonder, for near the bank
I found a foot print, about his size
just one, no more and when I crossed
the other one was there, on the other side
pointing in the same direction…
home.
~ Patricia McAuley Ramsden