Two poems for RM Vaughan

(1965-2020)

1.

Ten reasons why and why and where and back
in the days when your poems had the

longest titles, lists

of what could otherwise be im-
possible. Now, a list of news
you could not experience: how NASA 

discovers evidence of water

on the sunlit surface of the moon; how
the stars might shine; the death

of Diane di Prima. I catch

the opening of her poem, “The Window”:
“you are my bread / and the hairline

noise / of my bones / you are almost
the sea”

2.

I will not write you an obituary, it has been
but five days. It has been a week. It has been

the whole

of your life. Where are you? Now, they say
you’re found, and now. A tribute

of dazzling, knitted scarves. Today,
the longest day. Richard,

we love you. Please get up.