Hover, and: 71 South

Hover

The research shows that the self can be detached from the body and can live a phantom existence on its own, as in an out-of-body experience, or it can be felt outside of personal space, as in a sense of a presence.

–Dr. Peter Brugger, quoted in the New York Times

Weeks before you died, you told me you'd beenin the hospital bed when you felt your body rise,hover near the ceiling lights, heard your name calledagain and again. Probably the doctors, I said,arranged your flowers, get well cards. You shookyour head. You were a scientist, taught me to believewhat could be seen through a microscope lens,truth in beveled glass. Next day, you seized again.They're saying Pasquale, you said as the paramedicsarrived, carried you back to the hospital.You never spoke your full name, called yourself Patinstead. I played the scientist, blamed your medication,seizures, hearing aids. What else could I believe?Truth like beveled glass: for weeks before you died,your name was called, your body pulled away.

71 South

You will remember road, summer skydarker as you drove, the voice of your friend

on the phone directing you, highway to state routeto thoroughfare. You will remember fields

of corn, holding your breath, row after row,like you did as a child past lines of headstones.

You will remember every call, emergency roomat 6 AM, then later, come soon, come now,

how you wanted to drive faster than the carallowed, but also, stay on the highway, south

until you reached the sea, mountain pass,something natural to throw yourself into, against.