His back twisted and bent from the weight of her on his shoulders. Belligerent blubber ball, her words ice picks to his heart. Step stab (you aren’t good enough) Step stab (I didn’t want you) Step stab (such a failure) Step stab (what will I tell my friends?) He shuffles through soggy grass. As he stoops to read the inscription, she rolls off hollering. In loving memory of…. satisfied she’s still dead, he puts her back on his shoulders for another year.