by LJ Frank
immeasurable ages
transpired
before he emerged
from his mother’s womb
no different than the incalculable number
that preceded him
but what If he knew in the first moments
he only had minutes or hours
or days
or even a fated number of years
to breathe and savor this brief life
knowing all would be vapor
in the unforgiving flicker
of a dying candle…
or would fortune allow him
an alternative
would he desire such
if his body and mind
were disabled
an unrecognizable reflection
in the mirror…
will his spirit ache as it approaches the end
and will he be aware
for where is rebirth or resurrection –
except in a belief created and ritualized
by others
in robes to hide their nakedness
with words invented
through imagination and inspiration
fomented and unleashed
and still
the residue of his energy disperses
like innumerable others
crowding the air
only equal in death…
but wait
let him think about this
would it help
if he charted a different course
now
just in case
while entertaining a dream
for another reality…
just one more
conversation with another
before intimacy fades
lips to kiss
wait…please…
let him catch just more breath
words and thoughts echo
in his head
wait
just hold his hand
just one more sip of wine
so, he can feel it trickle down his throat
but his glass tips over
another taste dissipates…
allow him to touch your heart
and whisper to your soul
for his plead is for you
to hold him
in your arms
while he catches
his final breath.
.