INCANTATION##

What words can you wrap around

A dying brother, still dying, even now.

A man who has not eaten for a month

Sips at water and says, even thirst is a gift.

He asks what other gifts God has given him.

I am your gift, his daughter says from the corner.

And he smiles and rasps-

You can only unwrap a child once.

The rest is prayer and even more prayer.

You sing softly to him in a language.

Only the two of you speak and he

Snores softly into your palm, breath and blood.