Dave thought back
to that day at summer camp
when he made lanyards
with his friend Billy
and the help of a camp counsellor.

It was
one of the most important gifts
he gave to his mother that year
which she accepted graciously
without a trace of irony.

Years later, Dave read Billy’s poem
and wondered about his own presumption,
giving a lanyard to his mother,
as if it mattered.

The memories came flooding back
as he kneeled next to the open coffin
saying good bye to his mother
who was clasping a crucifix
with the lanyard attached.

Hannah listlessly dusted
her son’s bedroom
like she had every day
since the overdose.

Everything was still
in the same place
as that fateful day
and she wondered,
what could she have done differently?

Her eyes fell upon a piece of plastic
a lanyard, artlessly woven,
by her son
at summer camp
years ago.

If she had accepted it
graciously,
with a mother’s true love,
maybe he wouldn't be gone
today.

Gary paused
as he swept the rec room
at the summer camp,
pieces of popsicle sticks,
remnants of copper,
some paper mache,
strips of plastic.

He looked at
the incomplete
abandoned
lanyards
and wondered
what would become
of the campers.