We sold the house today
the place he lived his final years
the place he chose to die.
He liked it there
in the dark cramped home
he’d shaped
from the remains of his life
in those latter days.

He appreciates
being able to just walk out
to leave the building
though he rarely did.
He kept his door unlocked
so as not to be troubled to tend it.
The floor was cluttered
between Maria’s visits
whose number it took some weeks
to find.
The books that were left
were well-thumbed.

He liked his home
for the last several years
with his bending bed
and stained comfy chair
and it was good for us
to have him so close.

The new owner
we hope
will love the old place even more
than he did.
I pray
she keeps it brighter.