c=the physics of farewell
 

nothing we know can exceed the speed of light,
but death, i think, can carry its cargo off
almost as fast. remember einstein’s rocket?
life and death are the famous twins, and no matter
how many times we perform this experiment,
i am the one who is always left behind,
growing older, waiting for your return.
far away you go and fast, and the farther
and faster you go, the younger you’ll remain.
often at night when i see you, i can see how well
the experiment works: your skin so smooth, your hair
still fine and blond. yes, the experiment works; it
proves nothing more than itself, but damn, it works
and you are farther and faster away than ever
and einstein, once again, has been no help.
i understand everything now that’s worth understanding
about time and distance. soon i’ll be fifty. still
the experiment runs. i don’t think i’ll be here,
dear twin, for your return, but lucky’s the world
that you’ll be bringing your youth and beauty back to.