A bizarre ritual of passing
we Protestants practice
laying out our loved ones’
stiff and empty shells
in dress-up clothes.
She looks so beautiful,
her best friend whispers.
She looks dead, I think
and remember an afternoon
years ago in a motel room
where I watched her shoot up
twenty white crosses dissolved
in a heated silver spoon
watched her shudder and marveled
at how she survived the rush.
I touch her hand, her puffy
cheek – cold lifeless flesh
not warm or exciting like
the woman who once
shared my bed.
I feel a surreal comfort
knowing she has vacated
this unfamiliar still body.
I hear angels murmur
Elvis has left the building.
Comments
1 - 12 of 12
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Amazing piece!
I often wondered why we do that. When they are all laid out stiff and cold it's a little too late for all the "oh she looks so beautifil" and "he's so handsome". Usually it's the ones who were bashing them behind their backs that are now being so kind. I geuss for some it's easier to be sweet to the dead than to the living. After all what can the dead say in their defense. I prefer to remember those who've passed as they were when alive. I don't want my last memories to be of them laying out dead, just a shell of who they really were. The soul it what makes us who we are not the body. Excellent work! ~Lurie
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thank you! I haven't seen you in ages (mostly because I'm more often on myspace or facebook than I am here)
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Elvis has left the building.
think I'd drop that. (Seems shoehorned to fit)
also maybe, "strange still" as in truth it was not unfamiliar.--which is a course a question of essence, and breath, and communication, note that I did not say that Word, since it is not the question, yet still we stumble around it whenever certain boundaries are crossed.
One notes the tinge of Buk underlying your Neruda here,
and in that final couplet they clash, irreconcilably, ( apparently, I spelled that right, will wonders never cease)
anyways, to have heard the angels murmur is enough I think.
by the way, Howdy.
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thank you, lute. I need input on this one.
I'm not completely happy with it yet.
oh, and howdy to you too!
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Your poetry, and this one is no exception, always touches a nerve.
Desiree
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thanks. desiree. I really appreciate your comment.
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Stone rocks!!!
xo Me oh my we're dead 'fore we die, aye aye... I love how I am lulled, pulled and woken by your writes... D...
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thanks for the comment. it's good to hear from you again!
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i read this on Facebook and was moved this morning... it reminded me of 'old times' and how people showed respect, even if it is weird to see death in all it's finery and the shadows of wax and formaldyhyde... ??
who know's the truths eh'??
elvis has definitely left the building
great write Travis, could see it all so clearly
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thanks, gill. I appreciate your comment.
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I've never understood the concept of showing the body myself. I think it's bizarre. Then they all stand around the casket and comment on how alive you look..stranger yet.
The last half of this was so heartbreaking. There is comfort in knowing it's a shell of their former self. You did a great job with this...
Stacy
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yes, such a bizarre practice. I appreciate your reading this.
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