in memory of Halli Kristjansson

Sweep hall and bathroom.

Shift boots from where they lurk

Under the bench. Sweep under the bench.

Mop under the bench. Mop the kitchen.

Halve seven poached Seville oranges.

Scoop out pulp and seeds.

Divide fourteen orange shells into two

Stacks of seven. Slice the rinds

Thinly so they will float like gold

Threads in the marmalade.

Marinate whale steak in milk.

                                              Marinate

Whale steak in milk.

                                As I let my sorrow unfurl

in my chores, I invite you to give me

That recipe again. Just one of your gifts—

Among them, blond hair that slept into silver,

Your wool-soft voice, a day at sea. I learn

This morning that you left yesterday. So I

Console myself with muscle memory tasks.

O, friend—always happy to see you,

To listen to your discoveries of Pacific sailing

And Joshua Tree meditation. O, Icelandic writer,

Your saga continues.