after death...

after death comes sunsets and walks to the pier
comes frogs in the throat and scallops on a dinner plate
no no
After death
comes horrible realization, like not washing yourself
and having someone talk to you about your own body odor,
after death is like brunch
in between is a witch, lying on the front porch with a silver spoon
that she will use to gather sadness in ounces
because it comes in small parts
not all at once. never all at once.
and maybe that's what it feels like at the beginning but she knows it never truly goes away
After death is an empty stomach sometimes
a boiling red kettle and an empty red sofa
After death is like holding your breath and counting to ten at the same time
AFTER DEATH AFTER DEATH
and she never thought about before death.
before death is not anything like after death
but she doesn't know that before death is also painful as well
it's not just laughter but it is also the swirl of the laundry on Sundays
before death counts to ten but each count is elongated
before death is a beach house where no one stays for long
she can't pretend that they are too different
it is apparent and obvious it is all the same. hurt
longing but smiling sideways.
always knowing
is the least she can do.