just say my subject is grief
it comes as a strike
leaves stricken
like an aircraft
afflicted
as Jupiter is
in opposition to Mars
these examples may lead to landing
on the floor
a puddle I try to reconstruct
from willed emotions
don’t bother says speech
it’s only worry the thing is done
I get along without
the provision of what is unnecessary
prayer all along
hoisting bodies to sky
as they were inhumed
I can keep this up
as long
as death
a book
unreadable from this distance
go try anyway
the rain heaves
something is not shut
the library downstairs only goes to S
From Hereafter (The Song Cave, 2024) by Alan Felsenthal. Copyright © 2024 by Alan Felsenthal. Used with the permission of the publisher.