We Are Not a Hugging Family

We embrace, and I marvel
At the sharp relief of bones on your back.
You have been sick for a while
The cancer eating at your body – your flesh
But we never expected you to leave
You have a son, my age, and your mother
Is still alive. Yet you leave us all
We embrace, I, a young teen,
Unknowing of the significance of
This hug. We are not a hugging family
My mom’s family, I mean.
I wonder how my dad knew
How could he know?
He said you should hug
Your uncle. You never know when he may die
And we didn’t, my family.
And I cried, for the first time in a year.
I cried for you and I could not look at
Your lifeless shell, your body, for long
That is not my favorite uncle
Who I loved, who I lived with
That is not my uncle
We embrace, and I am nervous
(what would you think of me)
I don’t know that that night you
Would die, all I know is I love you
And I say, I love you, my favorite uncle
And you die that night. The last thing
I did was hug you, and I am so happy.
We are not a hugging family
My mom’s family, I mean.
You are my favorite uncle, and
I hug you for the first time in
Years, and I miss you. I am happy
That I said goodbye.
Goodbye, my favorite uncle.