He died alone
in silence
no one knew
save his wife
and the three nurses
who were on duty
around the clock.
His door was locked
and so was his mouth
and then finally
it was announced
and the headlines read:
"Donald Duck Dead"
And Mickey Mouse
and Pluto
and all the rest
were deeply hurt
for they had something
to tell him
about his creator
Walt Disney
and what they
themselves felt
about being
cartoon creatures
and the secret
Sunday morning
faithfulness
in that printed page
of color
that they brought
one another.
and the aura
they gave to the reader.