My neighbor died today
In his home
Surrounded by family
Maybe
I don’t know
All I can see
The paramedics
Slowly pulling into the drive
Backing up
Heads hung low
As they approach the front door
From a distance
I can feel
The pounding in their hearts
They have done this so many times
But it always feels the same
I presume
Heavy
Who is inside
That home
Family
Friends
A daughter
Mother
Sister
Like me
Seeing a loved one
For the last time
What does she feel
Grief
Sadness
Relief
The tears roll down my cheeks
For someone I don’t really know
For someone who is gone
I should have
Reached out
Made an effort
To know him
His family
How ironic
It is in his death
Through a window
Across the lawn
That we finally meet
In his passing
The silence
In this moment
A deafening cry
The wail in my throat
Choking
The tears streaming
As I wait
To see them
Roll his body out to the van
I can’t stop looking
Waiting
There they are
They wheel him out
Such deliberate care
I catch my breath
The gurney is black
Not white
It’s comforting
For some reason
And now he leaves
For a second time
As they drive
Away
I am left
Looking out the window
Across the lawn
Heartbreaking
Expanding
Into the moment
That we meet
Upon his departure
