Mantra

I need to go to my sister.
The tumor grew
in her daughter’s brain
and now there is talk
of another surgery.

I need to bury my brother.
His ashes are in a box
and I don’t know where to put him
so that he can rest more in death
than he ever did in life.

I need to remind myself to keep breathing
because lately, it feels like,
if I forget
my body will not remember.

I need you to understand that
when you look at me and
you ask what I am thinking
it is this-

My sister
My brother
Inhale

My sister
My brother
Exhale

My sister
My brother
Inhale

My sister
My brother
Exhale