It Was An Unattended Death Poem by Francis Santaquilani

It was an unattended death.

The universe looked the other way

In respect for her resolve.

The softball games have been canceled

And we have the weekend to speculate

On what we couldn't spectate:

How her hair finally tossed,

The rales that went unheard,

How her toes curled, how

Her shadow cast as she hung,

How her lockermate's gasp

Unraveled the thick knot

Of silence and sent

Her secret uncoiling wildly.

It's raining on her home field

And here too, in the road city,

Where she would've played.

Not enough to cancel a softball game,

Just an appropriate amount.