we make little signs
we scratch obscure
symbols
on pieces of paper
we draw little
x-x-x-x's
everywhere
anywhere
to gather back into us
the departed
to bring the absent
the lost ones
back
into the design
of our family name

I am the end
of the line
the last
federman
but I continue
to make believe
that it is only
the beginning

those who listen
in silence
when I shout
our name
seem to certify
by their silence
that our name
is still there

Tell them

those traveling
with you now
far in-
side
the unforgivable
how it was us
[who are with you
always]
pushed you
hard
deeper in-
to
the deep
where you found
our most bitter
dreams
our sweetest
dreams too
and how later
later
back and forth
back and forth
in the hollow of our
inextinguishable names
together we learned
to fly again
to fly away
again
together
in our name
Federman

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