Frank was my neighbor
at one time my dentist
on summer nights
the aroma of burning mesquite
sometimes cherry
snaked over the fence
permeating my backyard—
a sweet BBQ smell
a pastime when not pulling teeth
then his hands began to shake
retirement soon followed
now there was time
for new hobbies
or family vacations
but not for Frank
one early Saturday
a planned trip to Walmart
he told them to wait in the car
said he forgot something
inside the house
snuck off into the backyard instead
pressed cold steel against his head
while the car sat running
with his family waiting
he never came back
ever since then
when the first warm night
of summer peeks in
I am not reminded
it remains flavorless
in the absence
of mesquite aroma—
sometimes cherry.
