What words can you wrap around
A dying brother, still dying, even now.
A man who has not eaten for a month
Sips at water and says, even thirst is a gift.
He asks what other gifts God has given him.
I am your gift, his daughter says from the corner.
And he smiles and rasps-
You can only unwrap a child once.
The rest is prayer and even more prayer.
You sing softly to him in a language.
Only the two of you speak and he
Snores softly into your palm, breath and blood.