He walked among us

awhile

occupying that space

between

ponderous straight man

and our own private clown.

 

His Going shakes us.

Sobers.

 

Reminds us again:

to respect

humanity’s fragility—-

his

—our own.

 

We are not

our achievements.

We are human.

Soft

Breakable

Small.

 

Each one

worthy

of love

Remembrance.

Leaving our imprint

to linger in

warm places.