The Mechanics of Life
I.
It happened one day
when no one was looking. Under
a white sheet meant for sleep.
With eyes tightly shut
creation of innocence.
II.
The tight confines you find yourself in,
wishing for the floodgates to burst,
for the end of this prison sentence to come soon
You kick.
III.
Dependent on another to eat, to sleep,
no freedoms of your own.
Then it happens suddenly
the birth of an innocent.
I miss sitting close
enough to feel each other’s body heat.
Tracing his lifeline,
feeling the ridges on his index finger,
aligning mine with his.
Now I live without him,
My heart, mellowed by age.
But I miss the intimacy
of holding his hand.
Our loss echoes in the silence.
They say, “Welcome, this is home.”
Is this where I’ll stay?
Forever?
The end is near us all
Today was never promised
No matter big or small
All will end in darkness
Today was never promised
One life is all you get
All will end in darkness
It’s time to pay your debt
One life is all you get
So close those tired eyes
It’s time to pay your debt
And end the endless cries
So close those tired eyes
No matter big or small
And end the endless cries
The end is near us all
I left you
Thought you knew
Threw my shoe
Words then flew
Much ado
You lying
Denying
Me crying
Love dying
Stopped trying
I will take the pain away
I will deliver you to Eden
For I am your salvation
And you are well met
Hold my hand lest your feet protest
Close your eyes for the wind grows cold
Trust in me, your steadfast companion
I will take the pain away
Clasp me to your breasts, embrace me, friend
Believe I have nothing but your best interest at heart
The time is nigh for us to depart
I will deliver you to Eden
I have waited for this day with full devotion
Release your grip on flesh for it grows weary
Say your goodbyes, the clock is ticking
For I am your salvation
Hold my hand lest your feet protest
Clasp me to your breasts, embrace me, friend
I have waited for this day with full devotion
And you are well met
He was a happy and kind man
Liked to give a helping hand
Now he’s resting in peace
Listening to God’s angelic band
Tell me a story
Sing me a song
Birds with no feathers
Moths six feet long
I’ll write you a poem
I’ll draw you a map
I’ll give you a skull
As a place for your hat
The flesh of your bones
Will melt when I tell
Of witches and demons
And bats out of hell
My tale may be gruesome,
A story of pain
But at least it’s your choice
To go down that old lane
So pull up a chair
Or sit tight in your bed
Snuggle down in your blankets
Perhaps hide your sweet head
But fear not my dear child
For each tale ends in laughter
With princes and crowns
And a happily-ever-after
I gave you a piece of my own spirit
you offered it back when we said goodbye
Yes, the last thing you want is to hear it
but for my sake, I must give this a try
We were so happy, or so I believed
you would hold me gently in your safe arms
Imagine my shock, you looked so relieved
bye to your love and protection from harm
No more tenderness and warm gentle nights
no more shared dreams and farewell to shared plans
Misunderstandings and horrible fights
all that you’ll lay on my shivering hands
I miss our conversations and laughter
my dreams of happily ever after
Moon slivers
mirror
my fate line
Tip to tip
Fingers entwined
Two becomes
One
sayTaïna 