a year’s worth of epitaphs
Emma Schriml

My grandpa, whose gift for my brother’s birthday was hospice,
And I wasn’t allowed to visit you
Until you were knee deep in your casket.

My pet rabbit, who’d been limping and falling and making me bawl,
Who made me come home from graduation
Only to put you in the fridge while I painted your basket.

My pilates teacher, who got on the news for a freak car accident,
Oh, my god, I’d just seen you last weekend,
I’m sorry I didn’t take more of your classes.

My uncle, who was found alone in his bed next to a bottle of poison,
I hate you, you ruined my day out with my mom;
She ran out crying while we were eating our pizzas.

My dad’s best friend, who suffered for days after breaking her hip,
I’ll never understand why you gave me your prized car,
I’d only met you once, right before your husband passed.

My mother’s great aunt, who by then I didn’t care to know how she died,
Because college was around the corner,
And I’ve had enough deaths, please let that be the last.