Funereal

Funereal

Let’s pay our respects—one long, last gaze
at this one who
for so short a span
embodied passion. Now here he lies,
embalmed and cosmeticized,
just another dead affair, with a smirk stealing
across his lips, those lips that just days ago smiled,
then softening, sank soul-deep in kisses.

Look, see the eyes swollen
and sewn tight—those same eyes
that lit the chambers
of our hearts.  See the stiff arms
that reached and drew us
heart to heart.

They are closing the lid now.
We must walk away.  I think
I will pretend I did not know him.
And even if I sometimes wonder
what you remember about him,
I will never ask, because I know
his sunless eyes have not eclipsed your heart
the way they have mine.