There he is, dead, alone
You cannot disturb him any more
And you think that’s how he wanted it
And you think your puzzle is incomplete.

You look above for signs of an angel
Taking away his soul
As in the image in catechism.
As in the image in catechism
You remember the angel busy cleaning your soul
But yours had cracks in it
Caused by a fall
Caused by you
Causing eternal pain
Causing unmanly tears retained

Your head bounces on an aluminum locker
Your head spins about unsaid words and questions
Locked in for eternity
Another mystery, as they had many
You had to take for granted

Your finger ventures its back
On a one-day beard
Your lips prohibited long ago
On the freshly shaven cheek
Reserved for a good housewife
Now watching your gesture

And you withdraw deeper
Into a mound of puzzle pieces
That will never come together.