Bodies

Bodies

March 20, 2014

I felt a body die this night

It wasn’t glamorous,

Nor a sacred rite.

Just a threaded pulse that leapt, then waned,

A few twitches of muscle, a breath retained,

Then respite.

My fingers felt a pulse disappear

Then turn back to tempt hearts

of those austere.

But the man departed, away, long ago was gone

Don’t hope his body lingers on--

For account of your fears.

My hands felt ribs that broke for blows,

To squish a piece of meat enclosed,

“Stay, you Leaving, stay here in limbo.”

But I did not observe this body’s man, nor his drift beyond my sight;

I only watched his body die, to follow him to humanity’s certain night...

The way that empty bodies go.

The way that empty bodies go.