Cosmetic haven
for deceased,
where death's ravages
are smoothed away.
Author notes
Artis notes-
*Various descriptions of the process:
Hidden stitches hold the eyes tightly shut,
lest they "POP!" open at the viewing,
startling some dear grandmother
into her own mortuary visit.
Lips are also sewn shut to prevent a gaping maw,
while blood is suckled from the flesh,
as formaldehyde replaces and preserves,
the already decaying bodies.
Hairdressers attend the coiffures,
carefully and respectfully primping
the crowning glories before they
get their crowns on heaven's shore.
Soft blushes erase the pale of flesh,
causing the oo's and ah's
at just how lifelike Mabel or Elmer look.
Fashionable suits and dresses,
cut down the back present a
well-dressed personage for all.
Hands are forced from rigor-mortise
into a mid-abdomen folded repose,
creating the illusion of sleep.
Then just the hit of a smile is molded
on stiff lips to make it all seem pleasant.
Inspirations is wrought
on the canvas of the dead
by artists whose palettes hold,
surgical tools, makeup, and strong stomachs.
40,000 men, women and children,
are scheduled appointments daily
to be made beautiful one last time.
Then each masterpiece is gently cradled
and stored in air tight boxes,
and sealed in concrete vaults,
in a vast underground galleries of
yesterday's renderings warehoused.
So goes the mortuary with it's silent
horizontal pedestrians moving on to eternity.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Artis
A contest entry
- Prompt Inspired quickie by Tattboyspet.
475 points, ended March 20, 2008, 15 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 5 of 5
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hehehehe! awesomness!!!!!!!!
great write and nice AN
lol
great job and good luck!
take care
stephanie =) -
The details of what happens to the body grosses me out, it is an amazing process but it disturbs me. The take you have chosen is a great one, and I think your poem will stand out in the contest. Good luck!
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lol - had to go back and read the poem again after the AN
have to admit though, without the AN this one would not have stood apart for me, but your descriptive manner in there definitely added to the write ... thank you for your entry
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Wowzers! The AN notes made my eyes pop! Love the way you put it The poem is really good to, all the best in the contest
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interesting...and WOW...excellent take on the prompt...kinda gave me the willies though...best to you in the contest~ Blessings always~ Trisha
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