On these days: Skeletons, a Cemetery, and the Lumineers

On these days, corn began to rise,

and wisteria tangled

in the blooms of the tung tree.

There were stories—

of dating Elvis,

of living with dyslexia.

A band finished a North American tour,

hugging each other

before stepping offstage one last time.

By the road were signs:

“Father of 2 has blood clots.

Veins deteriorating. Anything helps.”

And beside a man and his dog:

“A little bit helps. Bless y’all.”

In a cemetery were names:

Beaugeze, Benezue, Berguccini.

Red Beaugeze was

killed in the line of duty in 1954,

shot by a man fleeing parole.

There were handmade tombstones.

Skeletons and witches

watching over graves.

Nearby were messages on a resting place:

“Living in a Sea of Diamonds.”

“Dad, Pray for Me.”

All on these days.