For The Man Who Fed Us

(to the memory of Norman Konlup)

 

Forager, you found

treasures in the cracks

and shared them,

a thought, a thing,

embraced us with that

big laugh.

You fed us,

sharp winter nights

when we surrendered our

spilling-over bags to your

jovial command,

making so much

beyond food.

Such generosity left us wanting more.

Your solitary path darkened into distance

beyond entreaty.

In our mind’s eye

we walk with you,

comforting silence, but

for the fallen leaves under our feet.