883

to make a death rattle
clear your throat politely
letting the angel
handling reservations
know you’re next

September 9, 2016September 9, 2016 by brucejewett Categories: death, haiku, Life-Death, TankaTags: angel, death, dying, transition 1 Comment

421

some bloom in dying
some are devoured in their bed
of hungry grudges

October 9, 2015 by brucejewett Categories: Bruce Jewett, death, Family, Friendship, haiku, Life-Death, poem, poems, poetry, RelationshipsTags: character, death, dying, grudges, haiku, micropoetry, senryu

A Transition

When AAA Crematory rattled up
in a dilapidated Honda mini-van,
wrestled you onto a gurney,
zipped you in a long vinyl bag,
I nearly said, wait, wait, he’s gotta breathe
but how stupid would that have been?

Your arctic blue wrists and ankles
were adorned with bright paper bracelets
dappled with trees, birds and suns
and “GOOD BYE, GOOD BYE
WE LOVE YOU” in fat crayola.

Your grandkids taped them there
as a hospice doctor pronounced you
man without life; she lifted the long
arc of a blood streaked catheter
emanating from your groin;
and, as a neighbor’s baby shrieked,
snipped it free.

September 19, 2013September 19, 2013 by brucejewett Categories: Family, life, Life-Death, LoveTags: crematory, death, dying, family, hospice, life, mourning, transition