79. Death and Laughter

Ate dinner last night with my parents and Xen. We're staying with them for a bit but this was the first night everybody was all home and stuff.

Last night the five of us all sat at table:

'twas mom and Megan, Xen and Dad and I.

We ate, and uncorked wine of num'rous label

and talked of what to do when parents die.

One guesses that such grist would grind quite grim,

but no; this mill wrought naught but heady mirth.

We supped and laughed til deep in night's dark dim

and didn't sweat the antipode of birth.

Then after many glasses poured and drained

we stumbled to our beds in dreamy haze

with little of my parents' plans explained

for who got what beyond their dying days.

And when they finally pass into the West

it's memories like this I'll cherish best.