Michiko Dead

     

By Jack Gilbert

He manages
                              like somebody
carrying a box
                              that is
too heavy,
                              first with
his arms
                              underneath.
When their strength
                              gives out,
he moves
                              the hands
forward,
                              hooking them
on the
                              corners,
pulling the
                              weight against
his chest.
                              He moves
his thumbs
                              slightly
when the
                              fingers begin
to tire,
                              and it makes
different muscles
                              take over.
Afterward,
                              drains out
of the arm
                              that is
stretched up
                              to steady
the box
                              and the arm
goes numb.
                              But now
the man
                              can hold
underneath again,
                              so that
he can
                              go on
without ever
                                                                                                                        putting the box down.