OBIT [Caretakers]

Caretakers—died in 2009, 2010, 2011,
2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017,
one after another.  One didn’t show up
because her husband was arrested. 
Most others watched the clock.  Time
breaks for the living eventually and we
can walk out of doors.  The handle of
time’s door is hot for the dying.  What
use is a door if you can’t exit?  A door
that can’t be opened is called a wall. 
On the other side, glass can bloom.  My
father is on the other side of the wall. 
Tomatoes are ripening on the other
side.  I  can  see  them  through  the
window that also can’t be opened.  A
window that can’t be opened is just a
see-through wall.  Sometimes we’re on
the inside such as on a plane.  Most of
the time, we’re on the outside looking
in such as doggie daycare.  I don’t know
if the tomatoes are the new form of his
language or if they’re simply for eating. 
I can’t ask him because on the other
side, there are no words.  All I can do is
stare   at   the   nameless   bursting
tomatoes and know they have to be
enough.