I awoke more peaceful
after meeting Uncle Bob

in a dream. We were
at Cracker Barrel. I’m not

sure of the where or
why, but I’m sure of

the comfort. I don’t know
that anyone else was even

there. I don’t know
what we ate, whether

we chose the breakfast
or the dinner menu, but

I do know I felt full
of joy when I woke

this morning. I can’t
remember all the words

or the intimate details of
immaterial conversation,

but I remember laughing,
not because of what was

said, but because I know
his boisterous laugh brought

a smile to my face & because
I woke with that gentle ache deep

in my gut, the luxury of muscle
memory, that exquisite distress

when you’ve had too good
a laugh for a bit too long.