Parting
Marlene is dying
right now as these words
tumble onto electronic paper
her body is fighting, fighting
I talk to her
“Its alright”, I say
“you know the way”
we have discussed the other side
I am a selfish *****
thinking of myself, now
while she is dying;
striding across
her long legs anxious
to move on, explore
frustrated, impatient that
her body won’t give up
I am not there
they helicoptered her to TO
my thoughts are there
waiting for her freedom
I talk to her
stroke the book of shells
that she loaned to me
each page I run my fingers
across the beauty left
after death, “find the light”
I say, “follow it.”
“forgive me my trespasses”.
For my friend who is dying even as I write.
You have embraced life
I have wasted it in hiding
a coward drenched in fear
while you swam with the sharks
laughing and unafraid.
Gentle friend the universe is yours!
,
Categories:
helicoptered, bereavement, happy,
Form: Free verse
a frozen rope
the metaphor inflames, excites our hope
but we've had a shortage of freon
ever since the days we helicoptered in Deion.
Categories:
helicoptered, absence,
Form: Clerihew