Mario Called

Mario Called

Before the body bag
Before the morgue---

I still see you on your tricycle pedaling down
the long pier in Lac Court Oreilles and sitting there,
on the bottom, until we pulled you out.

Mario called to say he saw your corpse,
the Ruger pistol somehow neat across your chest.
The notes left in sandwich bags on the counter.

I still see you, fat cigar in mouth,
high school diploma in hand,
coast guard cap and good intent.

Even with half your head, the color of honey,
your blue eyes and both ears scattered--
and that 49ers cap like confetti on the floor---

Even then,
he kissed your warm cheek.