The varnish on the railing is worn away
where you put your hand as you brace yourself 
to take the stairs.
It’s an exercise in will, through pain, that you do with
the effort of every weakening muscle in your body —
bone-on-bone in your knees.

I remember how strong you were.
One of my most visceral memories — as a child;
You took me in your arms 
and skated me around the arena rink.
I felt the almost scary thrill of speed
as your muscles propelled us around that blur of white space —  
your momentum making my skate blades glide hot over the ice
in a way that I had never felt before 
and never since.