Index


I cannot lie

I cannot lie, I see him there,
death waits by without a care.
His rasping breath marks out his time
    and I wish him dead

I cannot lie, I see his stare,
behind closed eyes his skull laid bare.
His stubbled face plays out the mime
    and his life is bled

I cannot lie, I hear his prayer,
from deep within behind that glare.
His starving frame begins the climb
    and his mind has fled

I cannot lie, I shape despair
to ease my pain I stroke his hair.
Beneath my hand his paradigm
    and now his words unsaid

    This time the lesson is for real
        his ancient primer finally laid down.
    I shut my eyes and try to feel
        the syntax of his verb and noun.

I cannot lie, I know not where
to find him now I am his heir.
His very presence now sublime
    a ghostly maidenhead.



2.1.12