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A SHINING EXAMPLE OF HOW AN HONEST, KIND, STRONG, AND RESPONSIBLE MAN LIVES HIS LIFE

by Dana Whtvr

I set down my flaming sword long enough to stare into
a hunting trip photo at my Grandfather’s 
memorial. It shows two men, and him between them in
a dress and wig-hilarious joke (everyone
laughed), “abomination” an Uncle
scoffs casual-like now, tells story: “that’s the ugliest woman
I ever saw” man driving by says to man

in passenger seat (everyone laughs). 
See: sadness and shame felt in my painted
toenails hidden in socks, the tie too tight around my neck, 
clueless compliments about my long hair and hoops.

Retell the story a different way: at 10, a buck strung for skinning
from the eaves; the droppings he cut out and put in my palm.
I can never breathe in church, but this morning I took communion
for the first time in 9 years, for the old man-God knows why.

Over his grave beside his stillborn first daughter’s,
I become the hospital where he died-Queen of
the Valley (think meanest motherfucker: full crown 
of antlers on my head, long locks of weeping 
willow dyed with blood trailing in the wind, time
turned back on itself, a naked Eve naming all the animals).

Pulling my dress off the hanger, I bear witness: 
the empty center of the universe like a liver spot; 
wind in my hair, sun on my bare shoulders;
and under the ground, hidden in the urn,
his miserable ashes in drag.

*Title quoted from the obituary for James E. Fidler published in the Napa Valley Register, 08/28/2017

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