Keith Cooper.

Who Died?

Three days into the 21st century,
I was wondering
Who was going to get to
Sit in the front seat.

My brother and I smelled
Of basketball practice,
After school.

My mother was in the car,
Waiting.
In place of hello,
I asked her if we could
Go to McDonald’s for ice cream.

The way she said “Not today”
I think I took no
For an answer for the
First time in my life.

Silent, then until the garage door–
Opened her mouth.

“Please go to the living room,
There is something
We need to talk about.”

Walking past the kitchen,
I saw a new teddy bear
On the counter.

It was next to a sort of
Brochure that could easily
Have been for spring baseball camp.

Except it was titled “Coping with Suicide.”

It was then that I wondered,
Who died?

– Keith Cooper

__________________________________

To have your work considered for the LYRICAL send it to:
dougholder@post.harvard.edu