It ran late
They disguised you in makeup and paste;
Smoothed out the lines that had pockmarked your face
It was great
Loved the song that the radio played
As emergency lights filed on by one on the highway
To watch us put you away
Then we ate
Penne al vodka from catering trays
As various guests made attempts at remembering my name
Stayed up late
Had my mom define passing away
As she held to my father who wiped his nose with his cuff
As he offered a meek, "I'm okay."
I was eight
And I don't quite know why, when you passed
The first thing I did when I heard was I laughed