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, he carries it on his shoulder,
until the blood 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.