Death at a State Funeral

I hold a picture in my mind – of you
about eighteen, and laughing, showing all
your dimples, flashing teeth and, I recall,
those clear green eyes. I loved you, and you knew.
You used your eyes to pin me to a wall,
or beckon through a crowd, “Come here!” You’d woo
me, or confuse me, use me – overall
you showed I was a fool. How could I fall
for you? And yet I was an easy coup.

I’m here because your death has stilled the dream
I had of life with you. How well this grand
assembly and the church fits in my scheme.
I’ll join you now, exactly as I planned,
our wedding guests will be surprised. They’ll scream!