What do you owe
your next of kin?

They speak of

inheritance

legacy

estate

but never of
insight

the wealth and status
that come only with
gaining possession of
unflinching and final
truths

secrets long held
that explain and change
this our confusing world

My child, my child
you who cares for me now
giving the cloth of your life to cover my vanishing
ensuring this coda of mine
is of steady meter
and comfortable rhyme

you are owed this deeper birthright

I will bequeath unto you
this my most uncomfortable truth
for you to carry as you see fit
lest I leave it dangling uselessly above my grave
like a mobile above an empty crib

Nope, no, second thought, no.
What if I, like, don’t die?
I might be wrong and pull through. You never know.
Then I’d have to look you in the eye after admitting some wild shit.
That would be embarrassing.

Gonna keep it to myself.
Just in case.
Sorry.