Coffins are actually rather comfortable
plush and velvety like your Grandmothers
white church gloves.

My brother looked comfortable
the coffin fit him like the tailored suit
we only got for this occasion.

Inside his jacket was a small pocket
our rag-tag stuffed sewn up elephant
rested there with my baby brother.

Our house felt desolate
things seemed out of place
unbalanced, the dinner table
was lopsided and there was
an empty space on my bed
the size of an elephant.